Jesus Heals

Background Scripture: John 4:46-54; John 5:1-21
Lesson Scripture: John 5:1-9

Introduction

Are you sick? Jesus said, “They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17). Maybe there are those who do not know that they are sick, or there are those who have never been well. Jesus desires all to know what it feels like to be well and healthy.

Key Verse

I said, Lord, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee (Ps. 41:4).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

Many without the power of health—the sightless, the lame, those with shrunken arms or legs—sheltered under the porches of Bethesda. Bethesda means “house of mercy.” Miraculous healing occurred at irregular intervals there. A throng gathered in faith seeking healing that was limited to the first to enter the water after it was troubled by an angel.

Imagine the scene when the waters moved. The crowd slowly surges forward, crawling, or pulling themselves over the ground, some using crutches. A few have helpers to support or carry them. Someone enters the water, and there are cries of joy from a healed man or woman. Maybe there are also cries of bitterness and disappointment. “Next time it will be my turn,” they might think. A cured person leaves as the rest slowly return to their places of watching and waiting. Do the remaining infirm ones talk to each other, thankful that at least one was healed? Possibly a few thought that someone else should have been first into the water. Is there a council among those waiting which decides who is more deserving of healing? How would they decide, by who is sickest, or who has been there longer? The testimony of the man with the infirmity thirty-eight years seems to indicate it was every one for himself.

Jesus sees this man, knowing he has been here a long time in this condition, and has one question, “Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:6). But the man does not answer the question directly. He has reasons. He cannot be first in the water and be healed. He has tried, but others get in before him. Jesus has compassion on him and invites him to exercise faith and obedience. The Great Physician did not need to trouble the waters; He simply spoke the prescription for his healing, “Take up your bed and walk.”

The cure was immediate. The man rolled up his bed and walked.

Practical Truths for Today

Jesus went to Jerusalem for a feast, likely the Passover. The center of activity was the temple during holy gatherings. But Jesus has a work to do for a man who is not aware of his need, and He chooses the Sabbath to perform it.

In the background verses Jesus told the Jews, “My Father worketh hitherto, and I work” (John 5:17). His ministry never stopped, for there were many who needed healing. God was working through his Son, showing his power to heal. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases” (Ps. 103:2-3). The Jewish leaders were not healing the sick, but Jesus was.

Restoration of spiritual health is the ultimate objective of Christ’s healing. When physical health is missing, it is longed for, prayed for, sought after, and grieved over. Healing seems to happen to others but not for us or our loved ones. We wonder, “Why not me? Is it a defect in my faith? Is there a lack of power?” Many questions present themselves in situations like this. We want physical healing sooner, not later. In our thinking, nothing good comes from sickness, so it needs to be eliminated quickly.

The manner in which we respond to physical ailments is directly connected to spiritual health. God told Paul, ”My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Cor. 12:9). Paul had asked for healing, but he accepted infirmities for the sake of Christ’s power working through them. Paul’s assignment was to bear a burden, and he chose to bear it willingly, cheerfully, and humbly. This revealed what God could do, not what Paul could do. Like a soldier on guard duty, he needed to be relieved of his position before he could stop bearing the burden. He was asked to do the hard thing. It is easy to be a “sunshine” Christian, but we are asked to take up our cross and follow a Savior who took up his too. “And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross” (Phil. 2:8). No is difficult to accept. We want life to be like a math problem; if you carefully follow the formula, the answer is the same every time no matter who you are.

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Cor. 4:17). In desperation for healing, too often we think in terms of immediate relief. Does restoring health to this life only count as healing? Is it possible to put aside feelings of entitlement for what others get and accept what is given? We desire to be equal with those around us, thinking this will give us a fair chance at life. We attempt to justify our hurt and resentment at the unfairness of a situation by asking, “Why does God require me to do something that others do not have to do?” The man with the infirmity thirty-eight years also could have been bitter when he remained unhealed for so many years.

Job’s time of test through sickness and misfortune, even though the warfare in heaven was not revealed to him, testifies to an “unseen Hand” guiding events. More is at stake than we realize. Job retained his trust in God’s providence. His testimony was, ”Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him” (Job 13:15). Abraham also found God faithful. “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” (Gen. 18:25). The question of justice was answered in their hearts by submitting to God’s plan without understanding it completely.

Much like at Bethesda, not all find healing at the place where they are seeking it. Some may be physically healed but remain sick in their soul. When is it right to stop pursuing a healing and instead patiently accept the situation? There are many possible treatments for our ailments. Physicians are sometimes granted insight into how healing can be promoted. They may differ in method or theories about the cause or course of a disease. It can be difficult to accept that nothing can be done when others have been healed. Jesus raised the dead and healed diseases. But the Lord’s witness through those who experience suffering and bear it courageously can be more powerful than if their faith is not tried through adversity. Can we find where He is working and join Him, even in a sickroom?

Questions

1. How do I ask for healing from God while remaining open to any answer, including no or wait?
2. If I find it hard to rejoice that another is healed when I or a loved one are not healed, how can I regain the ability to rejoice with those who rejoice?
3. How do we answer those who have a hard time believing in a loving God when there is sickness in the world?
4. How do we comfort those who are sick?
5. When should we be like the woman with the issue of blood who touched Jesus’s garment in faith (Mark 5:25-34), and when should we wait for Jesus to pass by?
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Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).