Primary Text: John 5:1-47
Memory Verse: “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” John 5:24-25
Introduction:
This week’s lesson is taken entirely from the fifth chapter of John, and is comprised of two parts. First, Jesus heals a paralytic man at the pool of Bethesda on the Sabbath. The man’s healing bears testimony to Jesus’ miraculous healing ability. The fact the man was healed on the Sabbath day upsets the leaders to the point that they try to seize and kill Him. Their inability to do so merely adds weight to Jesus’ claim. They won’t take Jesus into custody until God’s own perfect time is accomplished.
Secondly, He responds with a profound discourse explaining His ministry motives, His power to give life, His authority to stand in judgment, and the dual witness of man (John the Baptist) and Almighty God to Jesus’ true identity. At the end of this discourse, Jesus turns a piercing spotlight on the hearts of those who are rejecting Him by calling upon a fourth witness to the Messiah’s claims: the writings of Moses which so eloquently foretold and validated the person and work of the Son of God through prophecy and symbolic imagery.
Jesus reveals the real problem: the love of God is not in their hearts. This is evidenced in two related ways: their rejection of Jesus as their true Messiah, and their acceptance of false teachers and prophets. It was impossible for them to have true faith because they were seeking honor from one another, and not the honor that comes from God alone.
People are just as misguided today, seeking not the favor and acceptance of God, but delighting in the acclaim and validation that comes from other sinful men. Truly, “they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the Lord” (Proverbs 1:29). But to those of understanding, “the fear of the Lord leads to life, and he who has it will abide in satisfaction; he shall not be visited with evil” (Proverbs 19:23). Are we seeking the favor of God alone?
Studying the Word
Lesson Study
- Describe the encounter that took place at the pool of Bethesda. John 5:1-9
- What controversies arose because the healing was done on the Sabbath? John 5:10-16
- What vital things does Jesus then teach about His relationship with the heavenly Father? John 5:17-22
- What is happening between the Father and the Son when someone honors or dishonors One or the Other? John 5:23-24.
- What extent of power and authority did Jesus teach the Father had given Him? John 5:25-29
- What did Jesus teach in this discourse about the witnesses that validated His life and ministry? John 5:30-38
- What did Jesus say is the reason the Jewish scholars and leaders completely misunderstood His identity? John 5:39-44.
- Why does Jesus bring Moses into the discussion? John 5:45-47