John 5:1-9 1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 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.

John 5:1-9 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.

John 5:1-9 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?”

John 5:1-9 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.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:1-9

Do You Want to Get Well?

Look around... What do you see?

Lesser hurts??? unresponsive spouse boring job poor grade unreasonable parent

The lonely, the dying, the discouraged, the exhausted, they’re all here.

We all hurt, ache and grow weary. Thank God for His promises!

28 “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. 29 “Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS. 30 “For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matt. 11:28-30)

1. He Identified What He Wanted When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6) How did he become a candidate for healing by Jesus?

Some of us just don’t want to get well

Why not? Free from unpleasant responsibilities Get sympathy... especially when we complain Can manipulate people Can punish ourselves if we feel guilty

Do you want to get well? You have friends who bring you here & you’ve developed friendships with others who come here regularly. If I heal you your life will do a complete reversal. You’ll be expected to get a job & relate to people on a different basis. Are you ready for that change? Do you really want to get well?

That’s a question you may need to answer. What do you really want?

“As psychiatrists, we cringe whenever Christian patients use the words, ‘I can’t’ & ‘I’ve tried’. Any good psychiatrist knows that ‘I can’t’ & ‘I tried’ are merely lame excuses. We insist that our patients stop saying ‘can’t’ and say ‘won’t’ instead.” Drs. Minirth & Meyer from “Happiness Is A Choice”

It’s never really “I can’t.” Be honest, it’s “I won’t.”

“I just won’t get along with my wife.” “My husband and I won’t communicate.” “I won’t discipline my kids the way I should.” “I won’t find time to pray.” “I won’t stop gossiping.” “I won’t make time to exercise.”

2. He Had To Quit Blaming Others The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (John 5:7) 2. He Had To Quit Blaming Others The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” (John 5:7)

Finally, something we are good at! Hey Adam, why? “That woman You gave me...” Aaron, about that calf... The people pressured me, since you were gone so long. I just threw this jewelry into the fire and out came the calf.

Pilate: “I just wash my hands.” “I’d stop drinking if my wife would stop nagging me.” “I’d work harder but no one appreciates my effort.” “I’d make better grades, but my teacher doesn’t like me.”

As long as we blame others, our focus is not on what can be changed.

So then each one of us will give an account of himself to God. (Rom. 14:12)

Isn’t it time… “It’s me, it’s me, it’s me oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer. Not my brother, nor my sister, but it’s me, oh Lord, standin’ in the need of prayer.”

3. He Stretched Beyond Himself Jesus said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” (John 5:8)

Ten lepers, “Go show yourself...” Man with a withered hand, “Stretch forth your hand...” Blind man, “Go wash in the pool of Siloam...”

Do you want to get well? Are you willing...?

It was instantaneous. It was complete. It was undeniable. He was reliable. He never failed. Notice Four Characteristics of Jesus’ Healing Power:

4. He Gave Credit To Jesus The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. (John 5:15) Blessed be the L ORD God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. (Ps. 72:18)

Every good gift comes from God!

I worked hard I had a great idea I sacrificed a lot and invested well I take care of my body I...

●But He was pierced through for our transgressions ●He was crushed for our iniquities ●The chastening for our well-being fell upon Him ●And by His scourging we are healed (Isaiah 53:5)