Healings and truth both show the message of the Messiah. We see both in Jesus words and works here in John 5.
John 5: The Healing at the Pool on the Sabbath
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.
3 In these lay a multitude of invalids---blind, lame, and paralyzed.
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5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?"
7 The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me."
8 Jesus said to him, "Get up, take up your bed, and walk."
9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
10 So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed."
11 But he answered them, "The man who healed me, that man said to me, 'Take up your bed, and walk.'"
12 They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your bed and walk'?"
13 Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place.
14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you."
15 The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.
16 And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath.
17 But Jesus answered them, "My Father is working until now, and I am working."
Jesus Is Equal with God
18 This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.
The Authority of the Son
19 So Jesus said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.
20 For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that he himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, so that you may marvel.
21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.
22 The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son,
23 that all may honour the Son, just as they honour the Father. Whoever does not honour the Son does not honour the Father who sent him.
24 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.
25 "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.
26 For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself.
27 And he has given him authority to execute judgment, because he is the Son of Man.
28 Do not marvel at this, for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice
29 and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.
Witnesses to Jesus
30 "I can do nothing on my own. As I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just, because I seek not my own will but the will of him who sent me.
31 If I alone bear witness about myself, my testimony is not deemed true.
32 There is another who bears witness about me, and I know that the testimony that he bears about me is true.
33 You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.
34 Not that the testimony that I receive is from man, but I say these things so that you may be saved.
35 He was a burning and shining lamp, and you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light.
36 But the testimony that I have is greater than that of John. For the works that the Father has given me to accomplish, the very works that I am doing, bear witness about me that the Father has sent me.
37 And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness about me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen,
38 and you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe the one whom he has sent.
39 You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me,
40 yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.
41 I do not receive glory from people.
42 But I know that you do not have the love of God within you.
43 I have come in my Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, you will receive him.
44 How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God?
45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father. There is one who accuses you: Moses, on whom you have set your hope.
46 For if you believed Moses, you would believe me; for he wrote of me.
47 But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?"
Things to think about…
The area where the story of the healing of the paralysed man in John 5 was uncertain until in the early 1900’s when this area near the sheep gate which had five porticos was discovered. The area is quite deep as other buildings including the remains of a Byzantine church were built over the top of this pool before it was uncovered. Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath and later finds him in the temple where he says “sin no more that nothing worse may happen to you”, Jn 5:14. God’s grace comes with personal responsibility. We should never abuse God’s grace. If we truly have God’s grace and we are abusing it through our words or actions, our gracious God will make sure it doesn’t continue. A tender heart of obedience is always better than the rod of correction.
You can see John in writing Jn 5:18 is making the point that there is a tension that is gradually building between Jesus and the Jews. They were noting that Jesus was making Himself equal with God by saying He was God’s Son. Some truths are hard for us to hear, whether they are about God or ourselves. Better to be lovers of the truth regardless of what we have held to in the past. The truth will always set us free, even though there might be some initial adjustments required.
Jesus speaks about His authority to give life and that all those who hear His voice will have eternal life, Jn 5:25. He says the dead will hear and have life, vs 25. But He also speaks of an hour coming when all who are in tombs will hear His voice – some to the resurrection of life and some to the resurrection of death. We know Revelation 20 speaks of these resurrections. We can live our lives and ignore the fact that one day these events will be fulfilled in terrifying reality and resolve. Regardless of whether people accept it there is a resurrection and a life after death, let’s never be guilty of not informing those who need to hear. Their acceptance or rejection of these things is in the hands of the Lord – but our calling remains clear.
Jesus exalts John the Baptist’s testimony, but Jesus says His testimony is greater than that of John’s, Jn 5:30-47. Jesus says even the scriptures which speak of Him were being ignored. They loved Moses, but Jesus says they do not accept the words Moses wrote about Himself. Some love the Bible. However we can love the stories and even some of the teachings, but when there is a confrontation with the Person that the Bible describes as the Saviour against sin, there is often a pulling back. Pray that the Lord of glory may open the eyes of the blind this year even though it has had some marked challenges with Covid-19. Invite friends and family to our service even if they have heard the message before. Pray and ask that a miracle might occur that they might receive the gift of spiritual sight to be able to see Jesus as their Saviour.
Vision Point
CBC’s Vision :- To be a growing biblical church community, significantly influencing our city and beyond, through intentional outreach, fulfilling our mission.
Questions for Cell groups
Sunday’s sermon, “The head and not the tail” came from Deut 28 by Ps Jay.
1. This chapter concerns many earthly blessings – houses, land, crops, family. In what ways has Israel experienced the promises of Dt 28:1-14?
2. As Christians we would say we have all the blessings and more than those listed in the reading. John 10:10 Jesus said He came to give us life and give it more abundantly. Have you experienced this to be the case? How?
3. Israel did not experience all the promises listed in Dt 28:1-14 due to disobedience. Do Christians fall into the same trap? In what ways should Christians be the head and not the tail?
4. Pray for your cell group and the church building and outreach that we achieve our Vision/Mission as a church.
Prayer Points
1. Pray for Queensland that we do not see any more Corona virus cases as restrictions are lifted. Pray for Victoria and NSW as borders close, but virus cases rise.
2. We return to church altogether this Sunday 12th July – one service at 9:30am
3. Pray for wisdom and clarity for other states managing the crises and new cases in Victoria.
4. Continue to pray for our government for wisdom and economic management.
5. Sunday’s fb live messages and for Kids church. The message this week – “God so loved the world” John 3 – Pr Jay.
6. Our online Chuwar Kids at church program – that our kids still feel connected to church and love worshipping Him.
7. This Sunday’s bbq/picnic. Pray for the blessing and celebration as we come back together.
8. Church finances to meet our expenses and to put a roof over our café.
9. Our City and Country – Pray for revival over our city and the leadership of our country even through these challenging times. Pray especially for people to be stable with respect to mental health.
Praise Points.
1. Jesse Baxter is gaining strength in his hands, praise the Lord.
2. Our church can meet together again this Sunday.
3. Restrictions being lifted – cell groups can now meet up.
4. Finances being maintained and donation to Café roof. Thankyou!
1. One service at 9:30am on the 12th July. This service will also be live streamed. No hand shakes or hugs are allowed. Hand sanitizer is to be used, tables will be wiped and chairs arranged for appropriate distancing. Families can of course sit together.
2. BBQ/Picnic this Sunday after the morning service. Bring your own meat, salad, sandwiches. Remember we still have some restrictions. If food is to be shared it must be individually wrapped so it is only touched by those who are consuming it.
3. Cell groups can meet up – Ask for details as to how and what is required.
4. New church bank details bsb:- 704 913 and Acc number:- 4000 4388 1
5. Kids Church now streamed live at 9:00am every Sunday morning via CBC’s fb page. Will be run in the house for the 10am service starting on the 12th July.
