Nathan Brosher
Nov 1, 2026
John 5:1-9 KJV – 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? 7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
1. The Danger of Becoming Dependent on the Pool.
- Waiting for the right preacher:
- Waiting for the right atmosphere:
- Waiting for someone to recognize your calling:
- Waiting for circumstances to become perfect before we obey God.
Appreciate the people God uses in your life but never make them the foundation of your access to Him.
John 5:5-6 KJV – 5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
2. 38 Years of Affliction
“Wilt thou be made whole?”
Sometimes our history becomes so prominent in our thinking that we begin to interpret our future though our past.
John 5:8-9 KJV – 8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
3. Jesus Gave Him the Word
2Kings 5:9-11 NLT – 9 So Naaman went with his horses and chariots and waited at the door of Elisha's house. 10 But Elisha sent a messenger out to him with this message: "Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan River. Then your skin will be restored, and you will be healed of your leprosy." 11 But Naaman became angry and stalked away. "I thought he would certainly come out to meet me!" he said. "I expected him to wave his hand over the leprosy and call on the name of the LORD his God and heal me!
4. We Have Been Given Access
Ephesians 2:18 NLT – 18 Now all of us can come to the Father through the same Holy Spirit because of what Christ has done for us.
Hebrews 4:16 NLT – 16 So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.
John 14:6-7 NLT – 6 Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. 7 If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!"
Through Christ, we are invited to come to Him.