Thoughts on the Gospel of John (55) - All The Good Seed Daily Devotionals for 2025

When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well? The sick man answered him, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
John 5: 6 - 9.

Thoughts on the Gospel of John (55)
The hopeless condition of the man who had suffered for thirty-eight years did not leave the Son of God unaffected. Jesus knew how long the illness had plagued him and that he wished to be healthy. Nevertheless, Jesus asked him whether he wanted to get well. The invalid didn't yet know who was before him, but he confidently described his situation: he wanted to be healed, but he saw no possibility.

The man's physical needs can be compared with our spiritual needs. Just as his illness prevented him from getting to the water, the sin dwelling in us makes us powerless to fulfil God's requirements. The problem does not exist in the stirring of the water at Bethesda, nor in God's law, but in us ourselves. Happily, that is not the end of the story.

"What the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: he condemned sin in the flesh" .

God acted - that is the message that brings salvation. He sent His Son Jesus Christ to suffer the punishment of sin, in order to solve man's problem with sin. Whoever lays claim to that by faith will rise up and continue in the power given by God.

(to be continued next Sunday)

Today‘s reading: 1 Kings 9: 10 - 28 · John 8: 1 - 11