Do You Want To Be Made Well? Summary John 5:1-17

by Teresa^(1,656) Bronze Star

Read John 5:1-17

Jesus traveled from Galilee up to Jerusalem for two apparent reasons; to participate in the feast for the Jews, and to seize the opportunity to continue to reveal his identity as the Son of God and healer.

Jesus makes his way to the pool near the Sheep Gate, where he sees a multitude of people with varying illnesses. These people spent their days waiting for that special moment when an angel of God would heal the first person who stepped foot in the water.

One man in particular, caught the eye and heart of Jesus. As we have learned thus far, Jesus worked in the physical to lead us to the spiritual. In this case, he asked this man a tough question; "Do you want to be made well?" What a strange question. Why wouldn't he? I believe Jesus was speaking to the condition of this man's heart; physical healing was secondary. This man was obviously discouraged, and rightly so. In fact, so discouraged that he didn't answer Jesus' question, but instead explained his situation. How often do we dance around our circumstances instead of shouting 'YES!" when asked such a question?

This miracle marked the beginning of contention among the Jews. It was no coincidence that Jesus healed this man of the Sabbath day. Following this event, would be a discourse by Jesus that further revealed his power and authority. We will see this in the second half of the chapter. Nevertheless, it would seem good that we consider the reaction of the Jews to this miracle:

"...And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, 'It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.'" John 5:9-10

What? This was a man who could not walk for thirty-eight years and their concern was he carriedhis bed? But before we get too irritated with them, let's ask ourselves if we too get so caught up in our self-righteous religiosity, that we can't see the work and grace of God. (Hhmm.)

Again we see that Jesus performed a silent miracle that made a big statement. He did not tell this man who he was; not at first. He simply served and moved on. He handled the physical - the spritual came later. Not long after his physical healing, Jesus found the man in the temple where he said another set of powerful words:

"See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." John 5:14b

It would seem there are a lot of unspoken details and meaning between the question, "Do you want to be made well" and the statement, "Sin no more". What do these mean to you?

What is the significance of the Sheep Gate? What statement did Jesus make by healing on the Sabbath? Did Jesus go looking for this man? Does He come looking for us? These questions will be explored in the discussion questions that will follow shortly.

After the man told the Jews it was Jesus who healed him, they began to persecute Jesus. Things got worse when Jesus plainly told them that God was/is his Father - with these explosive words:

"But Jesus answered them, 'My Father has been working until now, and I have been working." John 5:17

Join us next week as we work through John 5:17-47

(C) Teresa Ortiz Book of John Study 2011. All rights reserved.

Article submitted Saturday, March 12, 2011 & read 594 times.

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» left by Marijo Phelps from mountain meadow (1 year 64 days ago.)

Oh, the mercy and incredible timing of our Lord! Thanks for your questions (love the SHEEP gate - dumb animals and I are one..... GRIN) and adding a new "sheep" to the shepherd's flock right then....

» left by Anonymous (1 year 64 days ago.)

Amen, me too :-) But you know what is amazing about the sheep gate? Jesus is like a lamb led to the slaughter - he is THE Sheep Gate. The sheppard and a sheep so to speak. Gooooood Stuff!

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