John 5:1-16 | What is a lesson for the original audience?

The primary lesson given here to the original audience is in regard to the supremacy of Jesus. Not only did Jesus accomplish in this man's life what he had been searching after for a considerable amount of time, He also broke several social barriers in doing so. The sick, infirm, and lame were often looked down upon in society. This man even admitted to the fact that he had no one to help him get to the pool when the waters would be stirred. So he sat and waited, unable to help himself or really get any help from anyone else. But Jesus cared for him. He went above and beyond the waters down below, and He was willing to help in a way and at a time the the Jewish leaders would not.

A point that is stressed in this passage and that leads into the remaining section of chapter 5 is that is was the Sabbath. No customary work could be done on the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders evidently interpreted the healing as work. Jesus is holding a minority view of the Sabbath. Now, I think it is important to emphasize that I do not believe Jesus was simply rejecting the Sabbath all together. Rather, He was demonstrating a correct viewpoint on it. Jesus spends a lot of time teaching on the Sabbath and contradicting the Pharisaical understanding of it. The Jewish leaders were concerned about this man carrying his mat, while Jesus was concerned with his spiritual well being. That is quite the contrast.

All this to be said, Jesus shows a greater supremacy in many ways. He is greater than the waters of Bethesda. He has higher authority than the Pharisees. His healing is more than just physical. Jesus is supreme.

What lesson are you seeing for the original audience?