Christianity Oasis Forum

[Mackenaw]

In chapter 5 of the Gospel of John, we read of a man that had an infirmity for 38 years. Daily he lingered beside a pool near the sheep market, a place called Bethesda -- which had 5 porches.

There were lots of other people there too and the Bible describes them as impotent folk, blind, halt, and withered. All of them waiting for an angel to appear and stir up the water, because whomever first got in the newly stirred water of the pool would be healed.

Jesus happened by and he healed this particular man, and Jesus healed him by His Word. Later, Jesus found the man at the temple and Jesus said:

John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

Some may believe that the reason the man was crippled to begin with was because of some sin(s) he had committed. Maybe so. But, what if it wasn't as a result of some sin that he committed, but that he had been born that way? We don't really know do we? But, Jesus did tell him to sin no more. Wonder why?

I think it's because we all sin, even when we don't think we do, because of the sinful nature we were born with. But here is a man that has been crippled for 38 years, and from what I can tell he was not able to move around very easily. What kinds of things could someone like him do that would be so sinful?

We all have sinful thoughts come in and out of our minds. Sometimes we harbor those thoughts -- give them way, way, way too much time and attention and our hearts can turn so bitter. But, was this the case of this particular man?

I don't really know. But, one thing I thought as I re-read this story, is at the time of this man's healing, he didn't even know who healed him. But this second encounter, a little while later, he was made aware of Who had healed him...Jesus. This man's testimony of Christ began at that moment. But with that, the man was given an assignment by God.

I can just imagine what that man must have been thinking..."What? what sins? what worse things?" I know I would be trying my best to find out what Jesus meant by that. And who better to learn those answers from, but Jesus?

Another cool thing that happened while he was seeking his healing, he met The One True Healer.

We have The Bible. The Bible is The Word, and The Word is Jesus. All born again Christians have been given an assignment, and that is to get to know The Lord.

John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou has sent.

We all need blessed healing. Jesus is The Great Physician -- The Healer. Jesus is The Word. Our goal is eternal life with God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit.

Jesus said that He only spoke what God The Father told Him.
Jesus said that The Holy Spirit will remind us of what He, Jesus, said -- soooooo The Holy Spirit will tell us what Jesus said which is what The Father said. Jesus is The Word.

What does The Word / Jesus say about The Holy Spirit:
John 16:7-16
7Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

9Of sin, because they believe not on me;

10Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more;

11Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.

12I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now.

13Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

14He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

15All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

16A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father.


The Word!!! Our testimony should be of Jesus, of The Word.

Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

God bless and keep you.
Love,
Mack

[ciny]

Hi Mack
This has always been one of my favoriet storys in the bible I like how Jesus saw the mans need of healing healed him and told him told him to sin no more the young man became a witness to many people from his generation
I like how you said that we all have sin we forget that like in some of the Bible scripture people would walk right by and not help them because they thought they were a discrace it happens in out time to.
i think Jesus also used this story and other storys to teach us to stop and help other who are in need of help and healing and be a witness to them
sin could have been the result of the sickness like you said Jesus used it to be a teaching tool as well.
Mack thanks for Sarin this it is Good teaching,
Love ya Ciny

[Mackenaw]

Hello Ciny

God bless you this day.

Amen! We have some wonderful examples in every story within the Bible. I love this story too -- it is one of the first stories The Holy Spirit led me to, after I got to know Him -- The Holy Spirit.

I love reading The Bible with Him. He points out some many different details that often I would glaze over. He even points out funny things to me -- you know some of those funnier "human" thangs. We can be such a funny creation; especially, when we don't intend to. I know through my relationship with The Holy Spirit that He does get a chuckle out of us at times.

Recently, I was making up our bed, and I started thinking -- geez, why do I have to do this? And immediately I heard The Holy Spirit say "Are you kidding Me?" I had to laugh, but I also took note at how foolish my statement was, and apologized for having said it. It wasn't as if I had to weave the sheets, all I had to do was pull them up and tuck them. What? I'm just sooooooooo busy that I don't have a minute to make my bed? Jesus had no place to lay His head, and I'm gonna whine because I have to make my bed?

The above shared story about the man in the 5th Chapter of John, he had no one to help him get to the pool, so I doubt he had a home. Jesus told him "Rise and take up thy bed and walk." His bed was probably a blanket or a mat. He probably only had his bed and the clothes on his back.

Oh Lord, thank You for Your patience. And thank You Holy Spirit for all the blessed reminders.

God bless and keep you, Ciny.
Love,
Mack

[Godlivesnme]

I like this chapter cause it lets me know that God can heal anyone.

[akita777]

Thanks, I needed to hear that....

Steve