The Gospel of John - BaptistWay Press

JOHN –The Word Became Flesh • Unit 1: Jesus’ Public Ministry • Lesson 4: Honoring the Son Page 19
Things To
Think About
1. Why did Jesus ask
the man if he wanted
to get well?
2. Why did the man
try to blame Jesus for
carrying his bed on
the Sabbath?
3. Do you try to put
the blame on others
when you do wrong?
The people believed that the first person to go into the
bubbling waters would be healed. They believed that an angel
moved the waters. Sick and lame people waited by the water
every day. This seems like superstition to us.
It was. But people in those times believed in many things
that were just superstition. In those long-ago days people
believed in all kinds of spirits and demons. In some places, those
thoughts are still believed.
One person stood out in the crowd. He was a man who
had been lame, or crippled, for 38 years. Jesus asked him if he
wanted to be healed. The man was sorry for himself. There was
no one to help him into the pool.
But Jesus was always the friend of the friendless. He was
the helper of anyone who had no help. Jesus did not waste time
telling the man he was superstitious. He did not tell him how
useless it was to wait for the waters to bubble.
Jesus wanted to help. With His word of power, He healed
the man who had waited so long. Jesus told the man to get up.
He was to pick up his bed and walk. God never gives us power
alone. If we are in trouble, we must do our best, too. No one can
sit back, relax, and expect a miracle. It is our will and God‟s
power that makes a miracle happen.
When I had a cancer, the doctor told me I had very little
chance to get well. All I could do was wait and pray. I was sorry
to leave this life. But I knew that life in Heaven would be
wonderful. God heard my prayers. I was healed. I want to spend
these last years in God‟s service.