Show notes
John 5:1-18: Summary: Upon His return to Jerusalem, Jesus sees a man in need of Almighty mercy. He's been an invalid for 38 years. His hope has lain in the pool nearby, but he's not able to enter it, and he has no one to help him. After inquiring whether he wants to be healed, Jesus heals him with a Word. As this was done on the Sabbath, the guardians of the Law take issue with the man's 'labor', who then seeks to excuse himself by placing the blame on his Healer. Later, Jesus comes to the man and charges him, by mercy received, to sin no more, lest something worse (than 38-years of paralysis) befall him. The man then reports to his accusers that his Healer was Jesus. On account of this, the Jewish leaders' persecution intensifies; and all the more as Jesus gives the reason for His activity on the day of rest: He's equal with God. He does only what God does, and cannot do otherwise! The text confronts us with the depth of Man's real problem, the lengths of God's mercy, the main purpose of Christ's mission, and the necessity of believing upon Him as the divine Christ. Sermon Outline: See God doing work. (5:1-9a) Jesus hunting. (5:1-6) Jesus healing. (5:7-9a) See God deepening His work. (5:9b-15) The blindness of these guides. (5:9b-10, 12) The blame-shifting of this man. (5:11) The burden and beauty of Jesus. (5:13-15) See God defending His working. (5:16-18) Their accusation. (5:16) Jesus' answer. (5:17) What it all means. (5:18)