Please forgive this rough draft format, as these are my raw study notes on the Gospel of John, although they are a bit better formatted than former efforts. I felt a great sense of urgency to publish them rather than waiting until I had the time to pretty them up. Thank you and I pray that God blesses and encourages you through this material. I’m not sure of the condition of the world at the time of this publication. But at the time of its writing, fall 2009 through late spring 2010, things are looking increasingly bleak with the economy, health care and unemployment, there is a renewal and increase of racism, and godly principles of living being disregarded, there are floods in India, earthquake and tsunami in Samoa. Are these the first stages of birth pains? The last? God only knows. And He is very busy these days. Seek His wisdom. Encourage each other. Pray. Jesus is coming to deliver His people and judge the wicked…Stacey
Take a few minutes to pray and savor chapter 5 of the book of John. Then return here and ponder the thoughts, answer the questions, and be sure to leave comments about your own revelations…
5:1-15 – Third piece of evidence for Christ – Jesus heals the lame man at the pool. Jesus is surprising and deliberate.
5:2 – The pool is near the Sheep Gate. See Nehemiah 3:1; 12:39.
5:5 – The man had been an invalid for 38 years. Suffering for less time can make a man bitter. How would you feel if you were this man?
5:6 – Why would Jesus ask this man if he wanted to be healed? How do you think this man made his living?
Jesus asked if the man wanted to get well. Did he mean deliverance from the sin He warned the man away from in v. 14?
5:7 – Sir – he didn’t acknowledge Jesus as Lord.
There was no one to help him into the pool. Who helped him to get to the pool in the first place? Why didn’t they stick around to help him into the water?
5:8 – After 38 years of inactivity, it would be difficult for this man to get up.
5:11 – The man acknowledged that Jesus made him well.
5:13 – The man couldn’t tell the Jews who Jesus was because He’d slipped into the crowd before learning who He was.
5:14 – Jesus tells the man to stop sinning, implying that he was a habitual sinner. He may have implied that the man’s lame condition was due to his sin, as well.
The man made sure to get Jesus’ name this time.
5:15 – told the Jews – did he report Jesus to the authorities?
The more I examine this passage, the more I think this man didn’t want to be well because he probably made his living as a beggar. Part of him may have wanted to be able to walk, but part of me thinks he told the Jews about Jesus because he was a bit resentful that he lost his easy livelihood.
5:16 – The Jews persecuted Jesus for healing on the Sabbath.
No one would’ve carried the invalid to the pool on the Sabbath. So, how long had he been there?
5:17 – In the Jewish culture, the firstborn son is considered equal to the father. Here, Jesus is claiming equality with God.
5:18-30 – The unique relationship between the Father and Jesus.
5:19-20 – The nature of the oneness of the Godhead.
5:19 – Jesus only does what He sees the Father doing. Just like little boys mimic their dads.
5:20 – God loves Jesus so much, He shows Jesus everything He does. What has He shown you? What does this tell you about His love for you?
5:21-30 – the right to judge.
5:22 – In the culture, the father judges, so Jesus is again claiming equality with God by saying that He will judge.
5:23 – You must honor the Son as God in order to please the Father.
5:25-26 – the time of Pentecost?
5:25 – Everyone gets eternal life! Where will you spend eternity? With God or without Him?
5:28-29 – Judgment Day.
5:29 – have done good – those who have placed their faith in Christ for salvation.
Have done evil – those who have rejected Christ.
5:31-47 – There are testimonies about Jesus throughout the Old and New Testaments and beyond. In fact, all of scripture is a testament to Jesus. Next time you’re reading an Old Testament passage that you think has no bearing on today, try finding Christ in that passage.
divine authority.
5:32 – Who is this witness? The Father? The Holy Spirit?
5:33-35 – John the Baptist is Jesus’ witness.
5:36 – Jesus’ own works are a witness for Him.
5:37 – The Father is Jesus’ witness.
5:38-47 – Scripture is Jesus’ witness.
5:45-47 – Can you find some of the passages where Moses testified about Jesus?
• The book of John is called the “Love Gospel”. How have you seen God’s love at work in this chapter of scripture and how will you apply it to your life this week?
• What attributes of God do you see in this book?
• What verse of scripture seemed to be God speaking directly to you? What is He teaching you in these verses? How does He want you to respond?
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