1. Faith In Christ Jesus: John 5:1-15 Pool at Bethesda
Faith is, first, the act of considering the Lord Jesus A great deal is made of this term, "Son of
worthy of trust as to His character and motives. God" today, as though there were a distinction to be
Second, it is the act of placing confidence in His ability made between God and the Son of God, but no Hebrew
to do just what He says He will do. Finally, faith is a would ever understand it that way. To the Hebrews, to
definite taking of your self out of your own keeping call someone a "son" of something was to say he is
and entrusting your self into the keeping of the Lord identified with, identical with, that thing or person.
Jesus. 2 Timothy 1:12 is the perfect example of all Barnabas was named the "Son of Consolation." That is
three aspects of faith: (1) for I know whom I have the meaning of the name Barnabas. Why? Because he
believed, and (2) am persuaded that he is able was that kind of man---an encouraging, consoling kind
to keep that which (3) I have committed unto him of fellow. His nickname meant that he was the very
against that day. We will seek to answer two epitome of consolation. He was the expression of it.
questions throughout our study of the Gospel of John. To the Hebrews, the use of this term, the Son
Those questions are: What does each chapter of God, meant, "This one is God." That is why
reveal about Jesus’ character or invariably, when our Lord used that term of himself,
characteristics, motives, and abilities? What he was challenged by the unbelieving scribes and
does each one indicate that you could Pharisees, saying, "who are you? What do you make
confidently commit into Jesus’ keeping? yourself out to be? Why, you make yourself to be
equal with God." Of course he did. That is what the
John 5:1-15 Pool at Bethesda title means. - Ray Stedman
John is the only witness to record this
event, having skipped over the healing of Peter’s Read verses 1-3.
mother-in-law, a leper, blind men, and a paralytic; the Where was Jesus spending His time
raising of Jarius’ daughter from the dead, Matthew’s during this feast?
conversion, and the expulsion of demons from a
Gadarene man. What does that reveal about His
There is no mention of the disciples in
John 5 because they probably had gone home to work character and motives?
for the summer. Did you know that Jesus called His
disciples once, and commissioned them twice? First, How does that encourage you to commit
they were called to believe and follow Christ prior to yourself to Him?
this chapter’s events. Second, they were
commissioned as apostles after this chapter. Third, Read verses 9, 10, 16, & 17.
they were commissioned as missionaries to the world What did Jesus do, and what “rule” did
after Jesus’ resurrection. Jesus break?
John 5 records Jesus plainly showing and
stating that He is the Messiah, the Christ! After this What consequence did Jesus earn?
the opposition is no longer curious or suspicious of
Him, but maliciously plotting His death! After this How does that encourage you to trust
Jesus’ followers are not asked only to believe, but also
Jesus?
to go forth on His behalf! Faith was no longer a
private matter, but a public declaration and life’s
purpose and occupation! Read verse 14.
Which of Christ’s three calls have you answered? What seems to have caused that man’s
1. The Call to Be His Disciple. infirmity, and did that prevent Jesus
2. The Call to Be His Apostle. from healing him?
3. The Call to Be His Missionary.
How does that encourage you to trust
Jesus?