Read John 4
Highlights:
Some have wondered who Jesus of Nazareth really is. Read on!! Without hesitation you can say that He is The Living Water (John 4:5-14); The Great Physician (4:46 — 5:16); equal with God (5:18). Confirmed by many witnesses: (1) John the Baptist (5:33-35); (2) His works (5:36); (3) The Father (5:37-38); (4) Scripture (5:39-47). Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth (4:23-24).
The sheep gate where lambs were bought for sacrifice was located at the northeast area of the Temple court in Jerusalem. Nearby the sheep market (is) a pool, which is called . . . Bethesda, having five porches (John 5:2). At this pool lay a great multitude of impotent (sick, invalid, and physically disabled) folk (5:3). It was believed by some that the first to enter the pool of water after an angel stirred it up would be cured (5:4). Jesus, the Great Physician, approached this crowd of helpless sufferers, but no one recognized Him.
In this crowd of helpless people was a certain man . . . which had an infirmity thirty and eight years (5:5). What possibility was there that anyone would care if he were ever healed? When this man expressed his hopelessness, Jesus looked beyond the man's problem and asked him to do something about it, saying: Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked (5:8-9).
Like this man, you and I once were spiritually helpless. We should be eternally grateful that Jesus did not pass us by but through a loving friend, a pastor, the Bible itself, or some other means, asked us if we wanted to be made whole. Jesus cares for even the most hopeless sinner and desires that all recognize Him as their personal Savior and Lord. It doesn't matter whether they are intellectual leaders such as Nicodemus, or like the pitiful Samaritan woman at the well, or any other lost person.
The sheep gate illustrates Jesus, the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world (1:29). The pool called Bethesda means "house of mercy or grace." It is only through the compassion of Christ that any lost sinner, without exception, can find mercy and grace by accepting His sacrifice on the cross for our sins.
The Apostle Paul reminds us that we once were children of wrath, but we have been cleansed from our sins and given a new nature with the privilege to put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph. 2:3; 4:24).
Thought for Today:
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deut. 6:5).
Word Studies:
4:6 sixth hour, noon by Jewish time and 6 pm by Roman time; 5:21 quickeneth them, gives them life.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts sponsored by Sherry Blondeau • Bible Pathway Media Producer: Rick Hash • Country: Germany (82 million) in north-central Europe • Major language: German • Religious freedom • 33.8% Evangelical (Lutheran); 33.6% Catholic; 3.4% Muslim; 1% Orthodox; 1% Other Christian; .2% Other; 27% None • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understanding of the Word of God as you read each day (Ps. 119:34).
Memory Verse for the Week: Luke 14:33