The Ancient Word...

John 5:1-15 tells the story of a lame man, who suffered as an invalid for 38 years. Jesus saw him by the pool of Bethesda and asked, "Do you want to get well? When the man explained how he had sought healing for many years, the Lord gave him his heart's desire by saying, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk."

At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked (vv. 8-9, NIV).

John identifies this extraordinary event as a "sign" (semeion) because it points beyond itself to some deeper reality. As is often the case in John's Gospel, Jesus follows the miracle with a discourse in which he explains the meaning and significance of his actions (see 5:16-47).

Jesus performed this miracle on the Sabbath (Saturday), when the Mosaic Law forbids Jews from working (see Exodus 20:8-11). The Jewish leaders persecuted Jesus for such actions (v. 16). They thought that, by doing doctor's work on the Sabbath, Jesus broke the Law and showed great disrespect for God (blasphemy). After all, no mere man can overturn the Law given by God Himself.

Jesus, however, indicated that he was no mere man, but God incarnate:

As the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son to have life in himself. (V. 26 -- This is the mark of deity. Creatures depend on God for their existence, while God derives His existence from no one. Compare John 1:1 and 14:8-10.)

My Father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working (v. 17).

Such words infuriated the Jewish leaders, who realized that Jesus "was even calling God his own Father, making himself equal with God" (v. 18).

But Jesus warned them, saying, "Whatever the Father does the Son also does." This includes not only working on the Sabbath (v. 17), but also raising the dead and carrying out the Final Judgment (vv. 19-30).

He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him (v. 23).

The healing of the lame man points beyond itself to the divine nature and work of Christ.

... for Today

"Do you want to get well?" What sort of question is that? We have the flu for a week and we want help. Was this really any question for a man who had been incapacitated for 38 years? Of course he wanted to get well -- or did he?

Would he accept healing on the Sabbath in seeming violation of the Law? Could he dare to rekindle hope when it had been dashed repeatedly over the years? Would his atrophied muscles respond if he tried to stand? Could his faith triumph over his fears? Could he trust enough to face yet another test?

The miracle of John 5 clearly signifies the divine nature of Christ. It also points to the saving and healing power of faith. The unnamed invalid had a lifetime of ridicule, hardship, and indignity to talk about, but a heart still soft toward God.

In his same position, we may have long since abandoned God in disillusionment or anger. Our questions may have turned into accusations, our prayers into curses. But our poolside mentor models another way. He emerges in the story as a powerful symbol (sign) of unremitting faith.

What do we face today? Been toiling awhile in a tough work situation? Been battling for a long season with sickness? Been grieving over months or years for a lost loved one? Been needing a miracle?

Will Christ find in us the sign of faith so he can display through us the sign of his Lordship?

Discuss...

1. Read John 5:1-30 aloud -- slowly. As you read it, listen for the word, phrase, or thought that the Lord may highlight for you. What is it? Meditate on the significance of it, and perhaps share it with the group.
   
2. What signs of faith have you seen in the lives of others recently?

Publishers Note...

We are pleased to announce that all back issues of Bare Roots are now available for your use on our Archives website (http://www.hiu.edu/bareroots). Many thanks to Zaya Tserendondov (Hope International University's Director of Web Development) for creating this resource for us. -- CD & DT

Chris Davis, PhD & David Timms, PhD
Hope International University
Fullerton, California

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