Our sermon this morning finds us in Jerusalem standing near a pool, which is called Bethesda (bay-thes-dah). This Hebrew name is derived from an Aramaic word - meaning house of grace or house of mercy.
This spot resembles a hospital emergency room more than it does a city pool or reservoir. All around this pool are gathered every kind of sick and handicapped person. There are impotent folk here (very weak and very sickly). The blind are here. The halt (crippled) are here. The withered are here.
Why are they here around this pool?
They are waiting for an angel from Heaven to descend upon this pool of water. For when the angel stirs the waters of this pool, the first person that is able to climb into the water will be healed.
There are three things that are important for you to notice:
1. Notice the word whosoever
a. It did not matter who it wasa. It did not matter what the ailment was
b. Common cold/cancer, blind/deaf, lame/leprosy
a. It did matter when the person climbed into the pool
b. Entering the pool before the angel troubled the water did nothing.
c. Being the second or third one in did nothing
d. Entering the pool after the angel had come and gone did nothing
Now understand this – the sick have always reminded us of the sinful.
The truth is, had sin not entered the world, there would be no such thing as sickness.
And in our text sickness is directly connected with sin – John 5:14
Now then, let’s look at this whole story in a spiritual light.
1. These sick, diseased, infirmed, and handicapped tell us of sinful men & women
a. Just as a variety of diseases can plague our body, a variety of sins has plagued our soul
b. It is so bad that the Scriptures talk about us being “dead in sins”
a. The fact that there is the possibility that we may be healed of all our souls diseases is a credit to the grace and mercy of God
b. “For by grace are ye saved” “it is the gift of God’
a. Just as the water washed away their infirmities, so the blood of Jesus that was shed on Calvary washes away of sins
b. “Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood”
a. That includes you
b. “whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have eternal life”
c. The Lord… “is not willing that any should perish”
a. Even the worst of sinners can be forgive and healed
b. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief”
a. The sinner who is standing at the edge of God’s mercy & grace feel the disturbance of their soul
b. After Peter’s sermon in Acts 2 – “now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart”
c. “piercing” and tearing up the soul & spirit * “discerning” thought & intents of our heart
a. It is a mistake to think that you can get saved anytime.
b. “now is the accepted time” “now is the day of salvation”
c. “He limiteth a certain day” “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts”
d. “My spirit shall not always strive with men”
e. Repentance is a gift from God
f. “Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life”
g. “if God peradventure will give them repentance”
h. “The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree. Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.
a. “Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.” (2x)
9. The response of this man tells us of men’s excusesa. “They are without excuse”