Jesus: The Healer of Our Brokenness
Summary
In our current series, "Encounter," we explore how Jesus meets us in our various life situations through the Gospel of John. Today, we focus on how Jesus encounters the broken, as illustrated in John 5 with the story of the man at the pool of Bethesda. This narrative reveals Jesus as both fully God and fully man, who understands our suffering and meets us in our brokenness. The man at the pool had been ill for 38 years, waiting for healing from the waters believed to be stirred by an angel. However, Jesus, knowing the man's condition, approaches him and asks, "Do you want to get well?" This question highlights the man's misplaced hope in the pool rather than in Jesus, the true healer.
Jesus' command to "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk" demonstrates His divine authority, contrasting the superstition surrounding the pool. The healing occurs on the Sabbath, leading to criticism from the religious leaders who prioritize legalistic traditions over the miracle. This story underscores the danger of legalism, which can blind us to God's work. Jesus' actions teach us that compassion and healing should transcend human limitations and traditions.
The encounter also emphasizes the importance of spiritual healing. Jesus instructs the healed man to "sin no more," pointing to the deeper restoration He offers through His sacrifice on the cross. This healing is not just physical but spiritual, freeing us from sin and death. As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of our need for a Savior and the transformative power of faith in Christ.
Key Takeaways:
1. Jesus Seeks the Broken: Jesus actively seeks out those who are broken, as He did with the man at the pool. His love and compassion drive Him to meet us in our suffering, offering healing and hope. This encounter reminds us that Jesus knows our struggles and desires to bring restoration into our lives. [11:29]
2. True Healing Comes from Jesus: The man's misplaced hope in the pool highlights the importance of looking to Jesus for healing. Our healing, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, ultimately comes from Him. Jesus' command to the man demonstrates His authority and power to heal beyond human limitations. [13:50]
3. The Danger of Legalism: The religious leaders' focus on Sabbath rules over the miracle reveals the blinding effect of legalism. When we prioritize rules over God's work, we risk missing the miracles happening around us. This story challenges us to embrace grace and compassion over rigid traditions. [20:38]
4. Spiritual Restoration through Christ: Jesus' instruction to "sin no more" points to the deeper spiritual healing He offers. His sacrifice on the cross provides ultimate restoration, freeing us from sin and death. This encounter foreshadows the redemption available through faith in Christ's atoning work. [23:03]
5. Faith in Brokenness: Even when physical healing doesn't occur, faith in Christ allows us to live with hope and purpose. Brokenness doesn't define us; our identity in Christ does. By trusting in His promises, we can endure life's challenges, knowing that ultimate healing awaits us in eternity. [34:05]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [02:00] - Introduction to the Series "Encounter"
- [04:30] - Jesus' Dual Nature: Fully God and Fully Man
- [06:02] - The Missing Verse 4: Understanding Context
- [08:37] - The Pool of Bethesda: A Place of Superstition
- [11:29] - Jesus Seeks Out the Broken
- [13:50] - The Question of Healing: "Do You Want to Get Well?"
- [16:42] - The Miracle: Jesus Heals on the Sabbath
- [20:38] - Legalism vs. Compassion
- [23:03] - Spiritual Restoration: "Sin No More"
- [26:28] - Jesus' Unceasing Compassion
- [28:51] - Healing Beyond Human Limitations
- [30:56] - The Role of Faith in Brokenness
- [34:05] - Living with Hope and Purpose
- [36:33] - Testimonies of Faith in Suffering
- [38:41] - The Importance of Life Groups
- [43:41] - Life Transformation through Community
- [46:39] - The Cross and Ultimate Healing
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: Encountering the Broken
Bible Reading:
- John 5:1-15
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Observation Questions:
1. What was the condition of the man at the pool of Bethesda, and how long had he been in that state? [06:02]
2. How did Jesus demonstrate His divine authority when He healed the man at the pool? [13:50]
3. What was the reaction of the religious leaders to the healing performed by Jesus on the Sabbath? [16:42]
4. What instruction did Jesus give to the healed man after finding him in the temple? [23:03]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have asked the man if he wanted to be healed, and what does this reveal about the man's state of mind? [11:29]
2. How does the story of the man at the pool illustrate the danger of placing hope in superstitions rather than in Jesus? [13:50]
3. In what ways does the reaction of the religious leaders highlight the dangers of legalism, and how might this apply to modern-day religious practices? [20:38]
4. What does Jesus' instruction to "sin no more" suggest about the relationship between physical healing and spiritual restoration? [23:03]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt broken or hopeless. How did you respond, and where did you place your hope during that time? [11:29]
2. Are there areas in your life where you might be relying on traditions or superstitions instead of seeking Jesus for healing and guidance? How can you shift your focus to Him? [13:50]
3. Have you ever experienced or witnessed legalism in a church setting? How did it affect your or others' ability to see God's work? [20:38]
4. Jesus instructed the healed man to "sin no more." What steps can you take to address areas of sin in your life and seek spiritual restoration? [23:03]
5. How can you actively seek out and support those who are broken or suffering in your community, following Jesus' example of compassion? [26:28]
6. In what ways can you cultivate a deeper faith that allows you to live with hope and purpose, even in the midst of brokenness? [34:05]
7. Consider joining or participating more actively in a life group. How might this help you grow in your faith and support others in their spiritual journey? [38:41]
Devotional
Day 1: Jesus Meets Us in Our Brokenness
Jesus actively seeks out those who are broken, as He did with the man at the pool of Bethesda. His love and compassion drive Him to meet us in our suffering, offering healing and hope. This encounter reminds us that Jesus knows our struggles and desires to bring restoration into our lives. The man at the pool had been ill for 38 years, waiting for healing from the waters believed to be stirred by an angel. However, Jesus, knowing the man's condition, approaches him and asks, "Do you want to get well?" This question highlights the man's misplaced hope in the pool rather than in Jesus, the true healer. [11:29]
Isaiah 57:15 (ESV): "For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: 'I dwell in the high and holy place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.'"
Reflection: Who in your life is experiencing brokenness, and how can you be the hands and feet of Jesus to them today?
Day 2: True Healing Comes from Jesus
The man's misplaced hope in the pool highlights the importance of looking to Jesus for healing. Our healing, whether physical, mental, or spiritual, ultimately comes from Him. Jesus' command to the man demonstrates His authority and power to heal beyond human limitations. The healing occurs on the Sabbath, leading to criticism from the religious leaders who prioritize legalistic traditions over the miracle. This story underscores the danger of legalism, which can blind us to God's work. [13:50]
Jeremiah 17:14 (ESV): "Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for you are my praise."
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need healing? How can you shift your focus from worldly solutions to seeking Jesus' healing power today?
Day 3: The Danger of Legalism
The religious leaders' focus on Sabbath rules over the miracle reveals the blinding effect of legalism. When we prioritize rules over God's work, we risk missing the miracles happening around us. This story challenges us to embrace grace and compassion over rigid traditions. Jesus' actions teach us that compassion and healing should transcend human limitations and traditions. [20:38]
Matthew 23:23 (ESV): "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you tithe mint and dill and cumin, and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faithfulness. These you ought to have done, without neglecting the others."
Reflection: Are there any traditions or rules in your life that might be hindering you from experiencing God's grace? How can you prioritize compassion and mercy today?
Day 4: Spiritual Restoration through Christ
Jesus' instruction to "sin no more" points to the deeper spiritual healing He offers. His sacrifice on the cross provides ultimate restoration, freeing us from sin and death. This encounter foreshadows the redemption available through faith in Christ's atoning work. The healing is not just physical but spiritual, freeing us from sin and death. As we reflect on this story, we are reminded of our need for a Savior and the transformative power of faith in Christ. [23:03]
2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV): "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come."
Reflection: What is one sin or habit you need to let go of to experience spiritual restoration? How can you take a step towards this change today?
Day 5: Faith in Brokenness
Even when physical healing doesn't occur, faith in Christ allows us to live with hope and purpose. Brokenness doesn't define us; our identity in Christ does. By trusting in His promises, we can endure life's challenges, knowing that ultimate healing awaits us in eternity. This encounter with Jesus at the pool of Bethesda reminds us of the transformative power of faith in Christ. [34:05]
Habakkuk 3:17-18 (ESV): "Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation."
Reflection: In what area of your life do you feel broken or hopeless? How can you choose to trust in God's promises and find hope in Him today?
Quotes
Well, church, we are in this series called Encounter, and it's a series where we will see how Jesus encounters us by reading through the Gospel of John. And through this, we'll see how Jesus interacts with us as he lives out his earthly ministry. And what is important to see in this process is that Jesus is both fully man and fully God. It's that God sent his Son to live here with us, to experience this life in its fullest. And because of this, we worship a God who understands our suffering, our temptations, and our life. So when he encounters us, he knows exactly what each one of us needs. [00:00:09] (49 seconds)
This morning, we're going to be looking at the broken, how Jesus encounters the broken, and then next week, we're going to encounter the discarded, and I hope that you are inviting people here. I'm going to tell you that next week is going to be an incredible, incredible service, and if you know somebody that feels discarded in life, this would be an excellent time to invite them into the church for next Sunday. But this morning, I want to share a story that will show you how Jesus encounters the broken, and so you can open up your Bibles to the Gospel of John chapter 5, and this is the encounter of Jesus with the man at the pool. [00:02:36] (52 seconds)
Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, said to him, do you want to get well? I want to begin by asking this question, did you see that Jesus notices the man? I showed you that rendering of what those pools would have looked like, and it says that there were many people. And also we know from the text that Jesus knows that this man has been in that condition for a long time. He's looking for him. [00:11:08] (41 seconds)
This speaks to the love of Jesus. Right? He's got one person that he wants to heal, and he's seeking him out. And so he's walking around these pools, and he finds them, and he approaches the man, and he says, do you want to be healed? Now that may seem like a funny question to us. Who wouldn't want to be healed? Who wouldn't want to be healed? Right? I think most of us are saying that. But how the man responds tells us more about why Jesus asked this question. [00:11:47] (38 seconds)
Number one, the man is looking to the pool for healing instead of looking to the healer, Jesus. Right? That's the obvious one. The man is there trying to get healed and he believes that his healing is going to come through these magical waters. But we know something else from his response. He is hopeless. He has no one to put him in the water. He admits that. I've got no one to put me in the water and because the waters are stirred up and you have to be the first one getting in the water in order to receive the healing, I'm never going to get healed. He's hopeless. [00:12:47] (42 seconds)
Jesus heals the paralyzed man by his divine command alone, saying, get up, pick up your mat, and walk. I love so often in Scripture when you see Jesus interacting so many times, especially around the miracles, Jesus will make just a simple command. Get up. You're healed. Walk. It's that simple. Instantly, the man is healed, demonstrating Christ's sovereign authority as God. Unlike the pagan belief in the mystical powers of the water, which are required waiting for an angel to serve the pool, Jesus' word alone just him speaking, get up, brought immediate and complete healing. [00:15:12] (60 seconds)
This contrast highlights the true healing comes not from superstition or rituals, but from the living God's direct and personal intervention. The reason John has included so much detail in this, he said, look, this guy here, he's been ill with this condition for 38 years. All the people of that time who were reading this letter would have went, oh yeah, I remember seeing that guy. He was. He was not able to walk. There would have been a connection point. And all Jesus has to do is say, get up. And the man is healed. [00:16:12] (41 seconds)
This is the danger of legalism. The rules are more important than what God is actually doing in the here and now. Right? Have you ever been to a church or maybe around a Christian who is very legalistic? Right? We have all these rules. We have to follow these rules. These rules are important and they're there for a reason. Right? It's almost incomprehensible to me and I hope it is to you too that in this story that John records the Jews are mad at Jesus for healing a man who can't walk. Well, you can't do that. It's the Sabbath. Wow. Right? What? It's laughable. What? Don't you get it? [00:19:23] (63 seconds)
So, Jesus finds the man in the temple and tells him, see, you've been made well, so sin no more in order to avoid something worse happening to you. This is the heart of the gospel. People, when Jesus saves us, and maybe you haven't thought about these terms, what is Jesus saving us from? The judgment of the judgment of the Father. Right? Prior to our salvation, we have a title. Children of wrath. We rebel. We walk away from God. We defy God. Our salvation protects us from the judgment that we deserve. [00:21:28] (50 seconds)
When we are saved, we are to go and sin no more. We are to die to our old lives and live boldly, confidently, and lovingly in our new identity found as children of God. What Jesus is telling the man at the pool is to sin no more, not to return to a sinful life or else he risks spending an eternity separated from the love of God. That is something that is far worse. How John puts it, there's something far worse. [00:22:44] (37 seconds)
What Jesus is teaching us here in this last passage is that human need must always be helped. There is no greater task than to relieve someone's pain and distress and that the Christian's compassion must be like God's unceasing. We can lay other work aside, our busy work, our daily life, we can leave that aside, but the work of compassion must never cease. Jesus encounters the broken because he's always working. He's always looking to give compassion to us. Our lesson is that we should be like Jesus. we're never too busy to stop and feel compassionate on those around us. [00:26:28] (67 seconds)
When a broken Christian has faith, they understand they will live in eternity with no suffering so they can be patient here on earth in waiting for their healing. Right? If all we do is want things for the here and now, we don't understand our faith and we don't understand our salvation. This life is over like that. Gone. And then there's eternity. Why do we put so much time and effort in that instead of looking forward with great anticipation to what comes next? If you understand that, if a Christian understands that, they can be patient in this life. [00:33:41] (50 seconds)
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