The cure of the impotent man.
The scene changes once more to Jerusalem. There unbelief develops very rapidly, and. there is a foreshadowing of the dread reality: "It cannot be that a prophet perish out of Jerusalem." Jesus finds himself once more in the very focus of controversy.
I. THE TIME OF THIS MIRACLE. "After these things there was a feast of the Jews." It is generally believed that this was the Feast of Purim.
1. It was not one of the three great feasts.
2. It was a feast in which the Jews gave presents to one another. Jesus would signalize it by a deed of miraculous beneficence.
II. THE SCENE OF THE MIRACLE. "Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches." This was a thermal, intermittent spring, such as are still to be found at Jerusalem, possessing rare curative properties in cases of disease. "The blind, the halt, the withered," gathered round it, seeking shelter in the porches while they were awaiting "the moving of the waters."
III. THE CASE OF THE IMPOTENT MAN.
1. He had been for eight Had thirty years afflicted will impotence in his limbs.
2. Perhaps his impotence had some connection with youthful sins and follies. (John 5:14.)
3. He had no strength to enable him to plunge into the bubbling springs as they arose with healing power.
4. He had no money to hire a carrier.
5. The bystanders, whether sick or hale, had no mercy or sympathy for him.
6. Yet he came from day to day in the hope of a cure.
IV. OUR LORD'S COMPASSION FOR HIM. "Wilt thou be made whole?"
1. The question was designed to shake off the long apathy of years, and revive the hopes of the afflicted man.
2. It was designed to withdraw his mind from the Bethesda waters, and bring him into contact with the Saviour himself.
V. THE ACTUAL CURE. "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk."
1. The command was accompanied by the exercise of Divine power on Christ's part, and of faith on the part of the impotent man.
2. The impotent man walked in the joy of his recovered power.
3. The miracle was done on the sabbath day. It was a deed of mercy, and therefore suitable to the day.
4. The miracle was one not to be gainsaid, as this man had been long known to resort to the Bethesda springs in search of cure.