By The Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist

Read John 5:1-18

The Rev. Ron Purkey

“Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” (John 5:8).

This sign miracle completes the three miracles that show how a person receives salvation.

The first (water to wine) shows that salvation is through the word of God.

The second (healing the nobleman’s son) shows that salvation is by faith.

This third miracle demonstrates that salvation is by grace. This man was in a pathetic condition. Because of his past sin (see verse 14) he had been afflicted for 38 years. He was surrounded by afflicted people, all of whom illustrate the sad condition of the unsaved; impotent (without power — Romans 5:6), blind, halt (unable to walk correctly — Ephesians 2:1-3), withered (paralysis), and waiting for something to happen (without hope — Ephesians 2:12).

These people thought that if they could get into the water when an angel came, they could be healed; but they lacked the power to get there! How like people today: if they could keep God’s perfect law, they could be saved; but they are unable to do so.

But see the grace of God at work. “Bethesda” (verse 2) means “house of grace,” and this is what it became for this one man.
What does “grace” mean? It means kindness to those who are undeserving. Jesus saw a multitude of sick people — but He chose only one man and healed him! This man was no more deserving than the others, but God chose him.

This is a beautiful picture of salvation, and how it ought to humble us to know that we are chosen “in him” and not because of our own merits but because of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:4).

What Jesus says in John 5:21 applies here: He quickens (gives life to) whom he will. We cannot explain the grace of God (Romans 9:14-16), but if it were not for God’s grace, nobody would ever go to heaven (Romans 11:32-36).

Notice several other things: There were five porches, and five in the Bible is the number of grace; and the pool was by the sheep gate, which speaks of sacrifice. The lamb of God had to die before God’s grace could be poured out on the unsaved.
Jesus Christ healed him on the Sabbath, therefore proving that the Old Testament Law had nothing to do with the cure. We are not saved by keeping the law. He healed the man by himself, for salvation is of Christ alone. The man complained, “I have no man” (verse 7), but had a dozen men been there to help him, they could not do what Jesus did. The lost sinner does not need help; he needs healing.

The man went to the temple, probably to worship (Acts 3:1-8), and publicly testified that Jesus had healed him (verse 15). When Jesus healed on the Sabbath, it was the beginning of the hatred and opposition from the religious leaders. This conflict grew worse and finally led to the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.

Read Ron Purkey’s Bible study outlines free at rcpbibleoutlines.com. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist minister for 50 years.