Posted on 10/13/2019 7:17:42 PM PDT by metmom
“After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.’ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk” (John 5:1–9).
This miracle perfectly illustrates God’s sovereign grace in action. Out of all the sick people at the pool, Jesus chose to heal this one man. There was nothing about him that made him more deserving than the others, nor did he seek out Jesus; Jesus approached him. The Lord did not choose him because He foresaw that he had the faith to believe; he never did express belief that Jesus could heal him.
It is the same way in salvation. Out of the spiritually dead multitude of Adam’s fallen race, God chose and redeemed His elect—not because of anything they did to deserve it, or because of their foreseen faith, but because of His sovereign choice.
Ask Yourself
Be on the lookout for people in need—those you meet in very random encounters, as well as those you know well, people you see on a fairly routine basis. Wherever possible, be part of bringing hope and compassion to those who think no one really cares about them. Understand that you represent Jesus’ love and mercy everywhere you go.
Studying God’s Word ping
I started watching John MacArthur YouTube videos a few months ago. I really enjoy them.
He’s become my favorite minister that I follow online. He’s clear and tells it like it is.
I started watching John MacArthur YouTube videos a few months ago. I really enjoy them.
He’s become my favorite minister that I follow online. He’s clear and tells it like it is.
I second That,
I have some CD’s
of his and always
remember one teaching
Of Why God is orchestrating
This Entire “Plan.”
.
For a Gift to His Son.
We had a Jewish Christian come and speak at our church once, and the significance of this pool and Christ’s miracle by the pool was so steeped in Jewish history and culture that there was no way a Jew could look upon the miracle as being anything but what was exactly prophesied by the bible and know that Christ was God’s Son
I don’t remember the details now, but it was fascinating learning about the Jewish customs of the time and knowing that Christ fulfilled the prophecy to a T for all to witness- There was no excuse for rejecting Him after hat particular miracle
Very big ping !
John MacArthur will be really shocked If God never elected him.
Amen brother! The heresy of Calvinism!!!
Go ye into all the world...
Out of all the sick people at the pool, Jesus chose to heal this one man. There was nothing about him that made him more deserving than the others, nor did he seek out Jesus; Jesus approached him.
Sure there was something about him, why Jesus sought him out. He was the one the ambulatory routinely stepped over in order to get there first, to be the one who was healed on any given day.
Yet what if anyone at any time had allowed that man go first, even to help him in. Or to let others of like situation go on in ahead. "Here, take my hand Buddy, you first."
Then there wouldn't have been any need for the healing pool because nobody would have been jockeying for position.
Understand that you represent Jesus’ love and mercy everywhere you go.
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