Jesus At Bethesda

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John 5:1-18

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.…

I. THE PATIENT.

1. He was fully aware of his sickness, and owned it .He was not like those who are lost by nature, who do not know it or will not confess it.

2. He waited by the pool expecting some sign and wonder. This, too, is how many wait, persevering in ordinances and unbelief, expecting some great thing, that on a sudden they will experience strange emotions and remarkable impressions, or see a vision or hear a supernatural voice. No one will deny that a few have been thus favoured — Colossians Gardiner, e.g. — but such interpositions are not to be looked for. Jesus Himself is the greatest of wonders. In regard to this matter of waiting remark —

(1) That it is not the way which God has bidden His servants preach. The gospel of our salvation is "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ."(2) This ungospel-like gospel of waiting is immensely popular. Why? Because it administers laudanum to the conscience. When the minister preaches with power and men's hearts are touched, the devil says "Wait."(3) Is not this waiting a very hopeless business? Of those who waited how few were healed? What right have you to expect that if you wait another thirty years you will be different?

(4) There lies our poor friend. I do not blame him for waiting, for Jesus had not been there before.

(5) Having been so often disappointed he was growing in deep despair. Moreover he was getting old; and life is wearing away with you. You have waited all this while in vain, sinfully waited. You have seen others saved, your child, your wife; but you are not.

II. THE PHYSICIAN.

1. He made an election. This man was possibly selected because his was the worst case and had waited longest of all.

2. Jesus said, "Wilt thou be made whole?" not for information, but to arouse attention.

3. He gave the word of command.

4. There is nothing said in the text about faith, but the whole incident shows that the man must have had faith.

5. The cure which Christ wrought was —

(1)  Perfect. The man could carry his bed.

(2)  Immediate. The man was not carried home by friends and gradually nursed into vital energy.

III. APPLY THE INSTANCE TO THE PRESENT OCCASION. Why should we not on this very spot have instantaneous cures of sick souls? Man fell in a moment; why should not Christ restore in a moment?

1. Look at the Biblical illustrations of what salvation is. Noah built an ark, the type of salvation. When was Noah saved? After he had been in the ark a week or two? No; the moment Noah went through the door and the Lord shut him in he was safe. Take the case of the Passover; the moment the blood was sprinkled the house was secured. When the brazen serpent was lifted up were the wounded told to wait till it was pushed in their faces, or until the venom showed certain symptoms? No, they were commanded to look. Were they healed in six months' time?

2. Take Biblical instances. The dying thief, the 3,000 at Pentecost, the Philippian jailer.

3. The work of salvation is all done. You want washing, but the fountain does not need filling. You want clothing, but the robe is ready.

4. Regeneration cannot be a work of a long time. There must be a line, we cannot always see it but God must, between life and death.

5. For God to say, "I forgive thee," takes not a century or a year. The Judge pronounces the sentence and the criminal is acquitted.

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