Jesus At Bethesda
D. J. Burrell, D. D. John 5:1-18 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.… I. THE DIVINE HELPER. 1. He saw him. It is something for a man to look on wretchedness. Men's eyes, as a rule, are turned the other way. The Christian rule is, "Look not every man on his own things," etc. 2. He knew the circumstances of this patient, and He knows ours. 3. He pitied this poor man. "Man's inhumanity to man makes countless thousands mourn." But Jesus is a high priest that "can be touched." 4. He addressed him. He made the first advances, and awoke new hope within him. 5. He healed him. But not until the arm of flesh had failed. "Sir, I have no man," etc. II. THE FAULTFINDERS. Surely a life so beneficent should have been left alone. But the faultfinders are everywhere, and are never at a loss for a text or pretext. They are dogs in the manger. They sneer at foreign missions, protesting that "Charity begins at home," but when beggars pass by mutter, "This is a fine sight in a Christian country." How shall we behave towards such people? Let them alone, and go on with our own business as Jesus did. III. THE NEW CONVERT. 1. He was obedient. 2. He was found in the Temple, doubtless to give praise to God. But "thanksliving is better than thanksgiving"; therefore our Lord says, "Sin no more" (Job 20:11). The ruin of the soul is worse than thirty-eight years of palsy (Hebrews 6:4-9). 3. He testified of Jesus. Witness-bearing is the best preaching. (D. J. Burrell, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.