Finding True Healing: Jesus as Our Source

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Is the Source of Our Greatest Needs

Jesus approaches the man at the pool of Bethesda, who has been an invalid for thirty-eight years, and asks if he wants to be healed. The man looks to the pool as his hope, but Jesus reveals that true healing and the meeting of our deepest needs are found in Him alone, not in the things or solutions we often seek elsewhere. Many of us sit “poolside” in our own lives, hoping that if Jesus helps us get what we want, then we’ll follow Him, but Jesus invites us to see that He Himself is the answer we truly need. [17:32]

John 5:1-9 (ESV)
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

Reflection: What is one “poolside” hope or solution you are looking to for healing or fulfillment, and how can you turn to Jesus as your true source today?

Day 2: God’s Compassion and Mercy Are at the Heart of His Character

Jesus’ choice to go to the pool of Bethesda, a place filled with the sick and suffering, instead of the temple’s festivities, demonstrates the compassionate and merciful heart of God. Scripture repeatedly affirms that God is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and Jesus embodies this by seeking out those in need and offering them grace. No matter your situation, you can trust that God’s nature is to move toward you with compassion and mercy, not away from you. [08:09]

Psalm 145:8-9 (ESV)
The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need to receive God’s compassion and mercy today, and how might you extend that same compassion to someone else in need?

Day 3: The Call to Repentance—Leave the Old Life Behind

After healing the man, Jesus finds him in the temple and calls him to “sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” While not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin, Jesus’ words remind us that repentance is essential—turning away from the patterns and choices that keep us from true life. God’s grace is not just for our healing but also for our transformation, inviting us to leave behind what once defined us and to walk in newness of life. [26:52]

John 5:14 (ESV)
Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you sense God calling you to turn away from an old pattern or sin and step into a new way of living?

Day 4: Jesus Is Equal with God—The Bold Claim of Christ

When confronted by the religious leaders for healing on the Sabbath, Jesus responds by declaring, “My Father is working until now, and I am working,” making Himself equal with God. This bold claim is at the heart of why Jesus was persecuted and ultimately crucified—not just for what He did, but for who He claimed to be. The invitation is to recognize and believe in Jesus not merely as a helper or teacher, but as God Himself, worthy of our trust and worship. [29:39]

John 5:17-18 (ESV)
But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Reflection: How does Jesus’ claim to be equal with God challenge or deepen your understanding of who He is, and what difference does that make in your relationship with Him today?

Day 5: Receive the Grace of God—Don’t Reject the Source

The man at the pool experienced the grace of God through healing, yet he failed to receive Jesus Himself, instead blaming others and even Jesus for his circumstances. This serves as a warning not to miss the true gift—Jesus as the source of grace—by focusing only on what He can do for us. God’s grace is present in your life; the call is to receive the Giver, not just the gifts, and to respond with faith and gratitude. [27:56]

Ephesians 2:8-9 (ESV)
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

Reflection: In what ways have you received God’s grace but neglected to truly receive Jesus as the source—how can you respond to Him personally and gratefully today?

Sermon Summary

The Gospel of John offers us a window into the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, not as legend, but as history—eyewitness accounts chosen so that we might know who Jesus is and, by believing, have life in his name. In John 5, we encounter a man who has been an invalid for 38 years, lying beside the pool of Bethesda, a place believed to have healing powers. Jesus, instead of heading straight to the temple for the feast, goes to this “house of mercy,” reflecting the very heart of God—compassion and mercy for the suffering and marginalized.

Jesus approaches the man and asks, “Do you want to be healed?” The man’s response is not a simple yes, but a list of reasons why he cannot be healed—blaming others and his circumstances. He is so focused on the pool as his source of hope that he misses the true source standing before him. Jesus, in an act of pure, initiating grace, tells him to get up, take his mat, and walk. Instantly, the man is healed—not by the pool, but by the word and authority of Jesus. This moment is a powerful reminder that Jesus is not merely a means to an end; he is the source of all healing and the answer to our deepest needs.

However, the healing takes place on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders are more concerned with the breaking of their traditions than the miracle itself. They question the man, who shifts blame to Jesus, and then confront Jesus for working on the Sabbath. Jesus responds by equating his work with the ongoing work of God the Father, making himself equal with God—a claim that becomes the central reason for the growing hostility against him.

This encounter challenges us to examine where we look for healing and hope. Are we sitting “poolside,” waiting for something or someone else to fix our lives, or are we willing to recognize Jesus as the true source? The story also warns against missing the heart of God by clinging to rules and traditions at the expense of compassion and grace. Ultimately, it calls us to receive the grace of God, not just the gifts, but the Giver himself—Jesus Christ, who alone can bring true healing and rest.

Key Takeaways

1. God’s Compassion Seeks Us Out God’s heart is revealed in Jesus, who goes to the places of suffering and meets people in their need. He does not wait for us to find him or to have the right answers; he initiates grace, even when we are unaware or unresponsive. This challenges us to see God not as distant, but as one who actively seeks to bring mercy into our brokenness. [07:33]
2. The Danger of Misplaced Hope The man at the pool believed his healing would come from the water, missing the reality that the true source of life stood before him. We, too, can become fixated on secondary sources—relationships, finances, achievements—hoping they will save us, while Jesus offers himself as the answer to our deepest needs. True transformation comes when we shift our hope from the “pool” to the person of Christ. [17:32]
3. Grace Is Initiated, Not Earned Jesus heals the man not because of his faith, his request, or his worthiness, but out of sheer grace. The man does not even know who Jesus is, nor does he ask to be healed. This reminds us that God’s grace is not a response to our efforts, but a gift freely given, calling us to humility and gratitude. [16:57]
4. The Call to Repentance and New Life After healing, Jesus tells the man to “sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” While not all suffering is a direct result of personal sin, Jesus calls us to leave behind destructive patterns and embrace a new way of living. Repentance is not just turning from sin, but turning toward the life and wholeness that Jesus offers. [26:52]
5. Don’t Miss the Giver for the Gift The healed man fails to recognize or receive Jesus, even after experiencing his grace, and instead shifts blame when confronted. It is possible to benefit from God’s gifts yet miss relationship with the Giver. The invitation is to receive Jesus himself, not just what he can do for us, and to let his grace lead us into deeper faith and worship. [27:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[01:02] - The Purpose of John’s Gospel
[03:01] - Setting: The Pool of Bethesda
[04:28] - Jesus Heals the Invalid
[05:33] - The Sabbath Controversy
[07:02] - Jesus Seeks the Suffering
[09:22] - The Legend of the Healing Pool
[12:10] - Archaeological Evidence and Historicity
[13:15] - Jesus’ Question: Do You Want to Be Healed?
[16:57] - The Power and Initiative of Grace
[17:32] - Jesus as the True Source of Healing
[19:09] - The Sabbath and Religious Tradition
[22:36] - The Man’s Response and Blame
[24:49] - Sin, Suffering, and Repentance
[28:59] - Jesus’ Claim to Equality with God
[31:42] - Communion and the Finished Work of Christ

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

John 5:1-18 (ESV) —
> After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’” They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because he was doing these things on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” This was why the Jews were seeking all the more to kill him, because not only was he breaking the Sabbath, but he was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God.

Observation Questions

What was the man’s situation at the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been there? ([03:56])
How did the man respond when Jesus asked, “Do you want to be healed?” What did he focus on in his answer? ([13:45])
What did Jesus do for the man, and how did the healing actually happen? ([16:57])
How did the religious leaders react to the healing, and what was their main concern? ([19:09])

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think Jesus chose to go to the pool of Bethesda instead of heading straight to the temple for the feast? What does this show us about God’s heart? ([07:02])
The man at the pool seemed to have his hope set on the water and not on Jesus. What does this reveal about how people can miss the true source of help in their lives? ([14:46])
Jesus healed the man even though he didn’t ask for it or show faith. What does this teach us about the nature of God’s grace? ([16:57])
After the healing, Jesus told the man to “sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” What does this say about the connection between healing, repentance, and new life? ([26:52])

Application Questions

Jesus went out of his way to seek out someone who was suffering and alone. Is there someone in your life right now who needs compassion or mercy? What is one practical step you could take this week to reach out to them? ([07:33])
The man at the pool was so focused on the water as his hope that he almost missed Jesus. Are there “pools” in your life—things or people you are looking to for healing, security, or meaning instead of Jesus? What are they, and how can you shift your hope to Christ? ([17:32])
When you think about God’s grace, do you tend to feel like you need to earn it or prove yourself first? How does the story challenge that mindset? ([16:57])
Jesus calls the man to leave his old ways behind and live differently. Is there a specific area of your life where you sense God calling you to “sin no more” or make a change? What would repentance look like for you this week? ([26:52])
The healed man experienced God’s gift but didn’t seem to pursue a relationship with Jesus. Have you ever found yourself enjoying God’s blessings but neglecting your relationship with Him? What would it look like to seek the Giver, not just the gifts? ([27:56])
The religious leaders were more concerned with rules than with the miracle of healing. Are there traditions or habits in your faith that might be keeping you from showing compassion or receiving God’s grace? How can you guard against this? ([24:07])
Jesus claimed equality with God, which was a radical statement. How does believing that Jesus is truly God affect the way you trust Him with your needs and your life? ([29:39])

Sermon Clips

And so instead of going to the temple, the religious center, immediately Jesus goes to the hospital to be with those who are sick and are in need. [00:07:23]

The reason I think Jesus does this is because Jesus is reflecting to us the very heart of God, that if you don't know anything about God, you have to know this, that God is filled with, with compassion and mercy. It's who God is by his nature and character he has compassion and mercy. [00:07:33]

This is a reminder that Jesus is always the initiator of grace. This man doesn't even know who Jesus is. Jesus chooses this man to come to him and say, asks him this, do you want to be healed? [00:13:09]

If Jesus were to ask you that, whatever your predicament is right now, maybe you have a physical ailment, maybe you have a relational issue, a financial issue, and Jesus came up to you and said, would you like to be made well? What would your answer be? [00:13:26]

This man's in quite the predicament. I mean, he has been unable to walk for nearly four decades. And the other comment here is that no one is able to help him in, which means that he has no one in his life. This is a predicament of misery. It's hard enough to suffer, isn't it? It's challenging enough to go through hard seasons to do it completely alone when no one's willing to come alongside you. That's misery. [00:15:10]

This is why the call of the Christian is to be plugged into community, is that we would love one another or care for one another, carry each other's burdens with one another. You are not called to follow Jesus alone. [00:15:42]

I just love to watch as members of Calvary care for other members of Calvary in their times of need. This man has no one in his life. He's blamed everyone for his problems. [00:16:17]

I love that. Think about all the goodness that's in your life. Like just God initiated grace. It's like, why do you have those great relationships that encourage you, or the house that you have, or the job that you currently have, or the financial provisions that you have? It's like God just initiated grace in your life, and you get to respond to that. [00:16:53]

The source of the man's greatest need is Jesus, not the pool which reminds us this, that Jesus is the source of our greatest needs. He's not simply the means to it. [00:17:32]

Many people are sitting poolside, so to speak, thinking if they could just get in it, that their life would be better. And if Jesus could just help them get into that pool, so to speak, they would like it. They would be willing to follow Jesus. Jesus isn't offering to be the means to the source of your help. He's offering to be the source of all your help. [00:17:46]

You don't try me on to get something. I am the someone, the something that you're looking for. I'm not the means to the source of your healing. I am am the source of your healing. [00:18:45]

The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. Meaning, I'm giving this to humanity as a gift to cease from your labors, to remind yourself that you are not the sum total of what you can produce, that I am your heavenly Father who will provide for you, put this in your rhythm of work and rest. [00:20:51]

But the religious police aren't interested because they've got the laws of the letter, the letters of the law. This is probably the proverbial sayings beginning of, don't miss the forest to the trees. Right. Or the trees to the forest. Like, you just missed the big picture here, getting into the detail. [00:24:07]

Leave the life you were living behind, but don't go back to it. Like, you can go back to it and get deeper into it, and then something worse might even happen. Maybe not physically, but relationally, I don't know. But stop. Stop living the life that you were currently living that seemed to have transpired into this condition. Stop that and start living and following the ways of God. [00:26:22]

This is a call always of God. To repent from our sins means turn from them and follow him. Follow a new. So Jesus says to him, look, you're well. Stop sinning. [00:26:52]

This is a juxtaposition of the last two that Jesus encountered the man whose son was ill and Jesus healed at the end of four and the woman at the well, like they received Christ into their life. This episode seems to show that this man did not. He's not interested. The grace of God has come into his life, and he has rejected its source. [00:27:28]

That's just a call for each of us that the grace of God has come into each of our lives. And we should not reject the source. We should receive him into our life. It's for. Because it's who he is. That's who Jesus is. [00:27:51]

There are some people that would say, you know, it's only Jesus followers that thought he was God. No, Jesus said he was God. This is why. This is why they persecuted him and wanted to kill him. Because Jesus was claiming to be God. That's why. [00:29:52]

Why does John choose this healing episode, this event? Because he's selected. He's procured specific events in Jesus ministry that we might see who he is and believe and have life. [00:30:17]

No, Jesus is the source of healing. And when we experience the grace of God in our life, we are to receive the source of that grace, which is Jesus Christ. [00:30:48]

Ask a question about this sermon

Chatbot

Transcript

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?