John 5:1-16 | What's happening (and who's involved)?

The account for this week follows a continued thematic narrative of how Jesus is truly better. To begin, Jesus is back in Jerusalem for one of the feasts. Which one is not specified. The narrative zeroes in on a specific location. By the Sheep Gate, there is a pool called Bethesda. This was likely just outside of the temple mount and was about the size of a football field. Generally speaking, commentators and theologians look upon the angel stirring up the pool as something of legend rather than actuality. Nevertheless, it gained a great deal of popularity. Many of the sick gathered around and sought for their healing. It was thought that when the waters were stirred, whoever got in first would be healed. So multitudes would have themselves here. Considering also that this was during a time of a feast, it was likely that the pool also had more around it than what would have been typical.

Jesus approaches a paralyzed man who, Scripture specifies, has been infirm for 38 years. He asks the man if he wants to be made well and the man answers through his own misunderstanding.

7 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

This kind of experience tells us that the man has likely been here for a while, yet without success. Jesus tells the man to rise and take his mat and walk. The man was immediately made well, so he did as Jesus instructed. But this was not received well among the Jewish leaders. The pharisaic understanding of the sabbath restricted anyone from carrying any kind of burden on the sabbath. So when they saw this man carrying his mat, they quickly rebuked him. The man shared the brief testimony of how he was made well and instructed to take his mat and go. Naturally, this raises questions for them. But the man was unable to respond as to who healed him as he did not know.

A little bit of time after this, Jesus found the man in the temple and recognized that he had been made well. Not only does he recognize this, but He also gives a very interesting command.

Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.
-John 5:14b

Jesus saw deeper than just the infirmity. He addressed the deeper sickness within. We are not informed of the man's response, but we do know that he later went and told the Pharisees that it was Jesus who healed him. Scripture makes it abundantly clear that the Jewish leaders did not like that way this all went down. So they persecuted Jesus and confronted him concerning it. This is what leads into our text for next week.

What observations are you making?