JOHN

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John Chapter 5

• John 5:1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 

Some think this to be the feast of Pentecost and others the Passover. 

• John 5:2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 

A place of mercy and for the sick to be comforted. It could have been similar to the sulfur springs in the United States except of course the visitation by the angel. Apparently by the mercy of God, an angel would visit the place on occasion and stir the waters bringing healing to those who stepped in after the water was touched. 

• John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 
• 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. 

It could have been a legend but I think if it was, John would have explained it to us that it was a legend. I believe it was for real and that the time before Christ, God just may have had mercy on sickness and provided a way of healing until Christ came. Knowing God, that would not surprise me. 

This is my own thoughts and not necessarily scripture but perhaps all were not healed because God may have wanted to see if anyone would come and help the weaker ones. Still it could have been a legend and Jesus used this as an opportunity to bring real healing.

• John 5:5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 
• 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
• 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 

This shows that people are really genuinely selfish in nature and cared only for their own healing. Jesus was not limited to a certain season and was able to heal on the spot. 

• John 5:8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 
• 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. 
• 10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. 

This shows that Jesus is Lord and is also Lord of the Sabbath. No other man could have changed the law in that respect. It is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. 

Legalism causes many to forget the good intend of God's law and just look at the letter of the law.  Freeing someone from a disease that they suffered from their whole life, could never be breaking God's law because that is what God desires to do. Heal, save, deliver and eventually bring His creation out of sin and into wholeness.

• John 5:11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. 
• 12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
• 13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. 
• 14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. 

Again we see Jesus emphasizing what we like to gloss over. "Sin no more" is a message that we have lost. This may be what is causing Christians so many problems that we blame on the devil. While it is true the devil tries to tempt and hinder all that believe in Jesus, sometimes our own sins are what is causing us trouble. 

We have lots of marriage seminars and special counseling sessions to help people in the church solve their problems. I wonder, however, if we actually have a sin problem. I believe sin may be what is causing all the other problems. The message is the same, "Repent" and make a change. The blood of Jesus cleanses us of all sin, yet we still are having a problem with it.

Maybe the problem is that we are trying to come to Christ without repenting of sin. Perhaps we meet to praise and worship to make ourselves feel good in our sin and we are not seeking God to remove our sin. We can't get rid of sin by accepting our sin as normal or only human. Jesus came to save us from sin not save us in our sin. We do not just escape the penalty for sin but Jesus came that we may be free from sin. 

• John 5:15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. 

I don't know if this man was ungrateful for his healing or he didn't like Jesus telling him not to sin any longer. Perhaps the man was ignorant to the motives of the Pharisees and told them what they wanted to know not knowing that they were just out to find fault. 

• John 5:16 And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the Sabbath day. 

They emphasized one part of the law beyond the original intent of the Sabbath law. They forgot mercy and "Love thy neighbor." They should have rejoiced that one that was sick could walk about freely and be well. 

• John 5:17 But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. 

God has worked continually and Jesus is working also as the Father directs Him. 

• John 5:18 Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. 

Whoever does not confess that Jesus has come in the flesh is anti-Christ. 

Most admit that Jesus was a man that once lived and was flesh. What many do not admit is that Jesus was God in the flesh or God's Son who came into the flesh and that Jesus is God who still comes in the flesh in every believer who repents of sin and is born again by the Holy Spirit. 

Anyone that would deny this is antichrist. There is no salvation if we do not believe Jesus came into the flesh and comes into the flesh by the means of the Holy Spirit. There is no other way to be saved and have eternal life. 

Jesus is the only way of salvation. We can't just believe He was a person who once existed. He exists now literally at the right hand of God His Father and exists within each and every believer as the living water springing up unto everlasting life.

• John 5:19 Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. 

Jesus came to us in full obedience to His Father. He does all with full unity with the Father and does not act independently from the Father. 

• John 5:20 For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. 
• 21 For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. 

Jesus has power to raise the dead and make alive whom He wills. This can happen literally and spiritually. A person who is saved from sin passes from death into life. 

• John 5:22 For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: 

The Father doesn't judge anyone apart from the Son. He gave the Son the power to judge. 

This may seem to contradict the verse where Jesus said that He did not come into the world to condemn the world but that the world through Him might be saved. 

It does not contradict in truth. He didn't come to judge the world at the first coming but those that reject His salvation will be judged by the word which they reject. Judgment will come at the Second Coming of Christ. The first time Jesus came, He came to save and give His life as a sacrifice for sins. The Second coming will be to judge the world and set up His kingdom. 

• John 5:23 That all men should honor the Son, even as they honor the Father. He that honoreth not the Son honoreth not the Father which hath sent him. 

To those who say that Jesus never calls Himself the Son of God, these verses prove the very opposite. Jesus is the Son and admits to this many times. If we do not honor Him as the Son of God, there is no salvation. 

• John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 

He that hears the word and believes on the one who sent Jesus. We must believe Jesus is the one God sent to save us from sin. We must believe that Jesus is the Messiah or the Christ that comes from God, came into the flesh by being born of a virgin, and comes in the flesh by His spirit even now. Salvation is being born again by the spirit of God. It is a change that takes place within each and every one that believes in Him. Believing of course means more than just believing Jesus once existed. Believing means to believe His word, believe in Him as Lord and believe that He is the one God sent to us to save us from sin. 

• John 5:25 Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. 

The physical dead will one day hear the voice of the Son of God and literally live. Even though Jesus is speaking of the resurrection, we know also the dead in sin can hear and be saved from sin.

• John 5:26 For as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; 
• 27 And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. 

We see here that Jesus will judge but prefers to save so that we don't have to face judgment. 

• John 5:28 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, 
• 29 And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. 

These two resurrections are separated by 1000 years as described in the book of Revelation where it is written, "Blessed are they that have part in the 1st resurrection on whom the second death has no power."

• John 5:30 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
• 31 If I bear witness of myself, my witness is not true. 

John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus but there are many more. The Old Testament prophets foretold of His coming. Jesus is the only one that resembles the one prophesied that was to come. The disciples witnessed His resurrection. God Himself testified of His Son the day Jesus was baptized and the day Jesus was resurrected. 

• John 5:32 There is another that beareth witness of me; and I know that the witness which he witnesseth of me is true. 
• 33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 
• 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 

How much God wants us to be saved. Who would send their own Son to die such a horrible death if not to save the lost and grant them life eternal. I rejoice that Jesus found me as a child back in the Church of God in Akron Ohio. 

• John 5:35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light. 
• 36 But I have greater witness than that of John: for the works which the Father hath given me to finish, the same works that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me. 

The works that followed Jesus was another witness that He was of the truth. John the Baptist's sole purpose for being born and living on the earth was to testify of Jesus and prepare the way for Him. 

• John 5:37 And the Father himself, which hath sent me, hath borne witness of me. Ye have neither heard his voice at any time, nor seen his shape. 
• 38 And ye have not his word abiding in you: for whom he hath sent, him ye believe not. 
• 39 Search the Scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. 

The only scriptures Jesus had at that time were the ones in the Old Testament. They testified of Him 

• John 5:40 And ye will not come to me, that ye might have life. 

So sad that many today do not come to Him and receive eternal life. Those that desire to remain in sin will not come to the light. 

The people in that day wanted a hero to save them from the Romans and exalt their position as a great nation. They were not interested in repenting of sin. Even today people do not want to admit they have sinned and do not want to repent. They prefer a feel good about yourself religion that brings no inner change. They want to hear good things and have positive thinking and get rich sermons instead.  

• John 5:41 I receive not honor from men. 
• 42 But I know you, that ye have not the love of God in you. 
• 43 I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive. 

This speaks of the man of sin to be revealed in the future. People want to hear someone who promised them religion without repenting of sin or another way besides the only way of salvation through Jesus Christ. 

• John 5:44 How can ye believe, which receive honor one of another, and seek not the honor that cometh from God only? 

We can't have the praise of men and the praise of God at the same time. To please one, we have to give up the other for the two do not mix. 

• John 5:45 Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. 
• 46 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. 
• 47 But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words? 

They claimed to believe in Moses and adhere to the law, yet Christ was here to fulfill the law and was the prophet that Moses wrote about. DC

• Deuteronomy 18:15 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; 
• 16 According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. 
• 17 And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. 
• 18 I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. 
• 19 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.