Jesus Speaks Healing

Where is Jesus?                                                                                                  Pg.1
John 5:2  Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.

Until the 19th century, there was no evidence outside of John’s Gospel for the existence of this pool; therefore, scholars argued that the gospel was written later, probably by someone without first-hand knowledge of the city of Jerusalem, and that the ‘pool’ had only a metaphorical, rather than historical, significance. Then in the 19th century, archaeologists discovered the remains of a pool fitting the description in John’s Gospel. The name of the pool is said to mean house of mercy or house of grace. In both Hebrew and Aramaic the word could also mean 'shame, disgrace'. This dual meaning may have been thought appropriate since the location was seen as a place of disgrace due to the presence of invalids, and a place of grace, due to the granting of healing.

Q1. As Christians who believe the bible is the inspired word of God, are we to take all these location descriptions literally?
Q2.What other locations can you name that are verifiable

What Jesus Knows
John 5:3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6  When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get well?"
This man has been an invalid for 38 years. He has been hanging out at this pool near the temple, receiving alms for the poor. He has probably grown pretty accustomed to this lifestyle. No work, other people around. Even his answer is not a “yes”, but an “I’m trying to get in the water for healing but can’t get there fast enough.” I believe that God asks us this question more often than we realize: “Do you want to get well?” Jesus has the power to heal, not just physically but emotionally, psychologically, relationally.
Q1.Does one know when one wants to be healed?                                                                                 Q2.How did Jesus learn of this mans condition?                                                                                                Q3.What reason did he have for having never gotten into the pool?                                                                                 Q2.What are some of the problems of today's sick and ailing or crippled?                                    Q5.What are some of today's obstacles that prevent our being healed?                                        Q6.What is your feeling about vs. 4.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      
Question 6 is slightly off the subject of the lesson; Vs.4 is included in the KJV and not in the NIV, there are many theories and opinions. Some believe that the waters were medicinal and were more so at different times of the year; Some believe it was an Angel, seen or unseen:  All try to explain it, but are there those who need no explanation, who actually do believe it? Who is there that will deny that God has angels, and that they do his bidding? Was this the case at this pool?
         
What Jesus Does                                                                                                                 Pg.2
John 5:7,  "Sir," the invalid replied, "I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me."
8 Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

Never was a sinner more helpless than was this man. If God gave him strength to do his will, so he can all others; and the plea that we can do nothing could have been urged with far more propriety by this man than it can be by any impenitent sinner. This man has been crippled for life, now he has been instructed to get up and walk. No doubt his crippled legs were straightened, and made whole while he lay there. Then when Jesus spoke, he did as he was told. It was a remarkable command. The poor man had been sick for a long time, and it does not appear that he expected to be healed except by being put into the waters. Yet Jesus, when he gives a commandment, can give strength to obey it. It is our business to obey the commands of Jesus, however feeble we feel ourselves to be. His grace will be sufficient for us, and his burden will be light.
Q1. Would it appear to this man at this point in his life that he has a chance for healing?
Q2. What would be our natural reaction to this command?
Q3. What is it about Jesus that is different from most men of that day?
Q4. To add drama to the event, what did Jesus tell him?
Q5. The man was told to get up and walk, Was that a possibility, considering his condition?
Q6. To respond to Jesus , the man needed incentive and strength, where was it to be found ?
Q7. When Jesus speaks things happen, are we prepared to respond when he speaks to us?

Who Jesus is
Joh 5:9  At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10  and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." 11  But he replied, "The man who made me well said to me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.”12  So they asked him, "Who is this fellow who told you to pick it up and walk?" 13  The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

There will always be those who are willing, and given the grace of God to perform the tasks that God has set before us. There will also always be those who are determined to stop his work. They will use whatever means there are to make that happen. Satan has his ways of making a willing heart for God be as much inconvenienced as is possible. But if one is determined, Satan’s work will be nullified. Nevertheless Satan does not relent in his constant barrage against God’s will and against those who have a heart for God. What did Jesus do to answer Satan in the Wilderness

Q1.Could the man have done this without Jesus?
Q2.Are there those today that are that evil?
Q3.The man was simply doing as Jesus had told him, and should he have done that?
Q4.Why are these people so interested in what Jesus does?
Q5.Jesus had healed him without ever telling the man who he was, Why?
Q6.Are there times when people will want to chase Jesus away from us?
                                                                                                                                                  Pg.3
What Jesus says
John 5:14  Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, "See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you." 15  The man went away and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had made him well.

One might preach an entire sermon on vs.14 or on vs. 15. Actually the Gospel message that John was teaching and preaching during these same times, was that very message, Repent of our sins and be baptized, or something very bad is our destiny. And Vs. 15, Go and tell, evangelize all who will listen. In every case thus far, when Jesus worked a miracle or healing, it was then that the recipient of the act went and broadcast the news.

Q1. What did Jesus imply in vs. 14?
Q2. As the woman at the well, the man wanted it known that it was Jesus who healed him Why?
Q3. Rules, The Jews are quoting the law, why are they doing this ?
Q4. Are there miraculous works that Jesus does, that people broadcast today?



Jesus’ defense
16 So, because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the Jewish leaders began to persecute him. 17  In his defense Jesus said to them, "My Father is always at his work to this very day, and I too am working."18  For this reason they tried all the more to kill him; not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
17
And now here we are in today's world, still faced with some of the same situations and conditions. Jesus is being persecuted, The world leaders are aligning against Christianity, and Jesus speaks from the words in the Bible.

Mat 4:4  Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'"
Mat 4:7  Jesus answered him, "It is also written: 'Do not put the Lord your God to the test.'"
Mat 4:10  Jesus said to him, "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: 'Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.'"
Mat 4:17  From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near."
Mat 4:19  "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will send you out to fish for people."

Q2. Jesus, as the progenitor of God answers their charges with his defense. What is his defense?
Q3. And how do people today feel about that?   Pro & Con.
Q4. Are there those charges today, against Christians? Who is doing that?








Opening Prayer:                                                                                                   Pg.4                                                                                                                            
Father God, we come to study about Your Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ whom we believe with all our heart is our Savior. We understand that there are people and places in this world where His presence is  anticipated, and welcomed. Our study today takes us to one of those places. We ask that no word be spoken here tonight which might be contrary to your will and that each word be blessed with your approval, or it not be spoken. Bless those who are here tonight with the perfect understanding of those things which You would have us learn from this study. Bless our brothers and sisters in Christ who need your healing touch, give them reassurance that even though you are not present in body, you are most certainly with us in spirit. Offer them your healing Spirit as you truly are there with them. We ask this in the name of Jesus Amen

Our study today shows Jesus in a discourse with a very prominent man who beseeches Jesus to go with him to heal his dying son. Jesus is indeed our healer, he redeems, forgives, leads, and directs our lives if we but take the time to ask and believe that he can do as he says. All we need is to trust in him and do as he says. This man came to Jesus with an urgent need, Jesus answered his need and deepened his relationship with him. As a result the man’s son was healed and Jesus never even touched him, indeed never even saw him or even knew his name. Jesus can do miracles, we just need to trust him at his word.

Closing Prayer:
Father God,  be with us now as we leave this place. May we carry with us your blessing as we continue in our efforts to live the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ. We pray for your continued watch over our loved ones and those among us who need your healing hand to touch them in their time of distress. Some are ill some are conflicted, all need your healing power. We pray now that  we will have Your guidance as we continue in our day to day living. It is in Jesus name we pray, AMEN

Meditation:
In this Scripture, we glimpse how the encounter with Christ can strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith…and that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” May that be our personal mission statement. God has plans for your life, and the lives of your loved ones. Our life is God’s gift to us, It may be filled with more hardships than we think we can possibly bear at times. That is when we rely on the faith we have gained in times of communion with Christ. God desires that we have a relationship with his Son, He desires for us to listen to him and learn from him, Our choice is to try to say “yes” not just when loving and trusting are easy, but even when it is very difficult and scary, and we desperately need him to respond. We are never alone. We are ever loved beyond all measure. But we need to be aware and certainly never underestimate what Jesus can do in our life if given an opportunity. He can do Miracles.                                                                  The Lord will rescue his servants, become one of them.