Spurgeon Morning and Evening May 7 PM

Biblical Context

John, one of Jesus’s closest friends, wrote this story down. It happens at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, and you can find the full account in John chapter 5. John’s whole point in writing his book was to show us that Jesus is God’s Son. He wants us to believe in Jesus so we can have real, lasting life (John 20:31). This story about the impotent man is one of the ways John does that. It shows us Jesus has power over illness and can heal anyone, right away, without needing fancy conditions or waiting for an angel. John often tells these kinds of miracle stories to help us see just who Jesus really is.

Key Word Study

Let’s look at the word “walk” from John 5:8. In Greek, it’s περιπατέω (pronounced per-ee-pat-eh’-o). This word means more than just moving your feet. Sure, it means to walk around or to go about, but in the Bible, it often points to how you live your life. It’s about how you conduct yourself, your whole way of being. When Jesus tells the man to “walk,” it’s clearly a command for physical movement, showing how he’s instantly healed. But think about it: the Bible often uses “walking” to talk about our faith journey, how we follow God. So, Jesus isn’t just telling this man to move his legs; He’s calling him to a new kind of life, free from the helplessness that held him down for so long.

Waiting for a Wonder

The man at the Pool of Bethesda had been waiting a long, long time. He was impotent, unable to help himself. He just waited, hoping for some amazing thing to happen, some wonder, a sign that would change his situation. He was just like so many others there.

He watched that pool with tired eyes. The Bible says an angel would stir the water, and the first one in would be healed. But for him, no angel showed up, or if one did, it just wasn’t his turn. He was stuck, watching, hoping.

Even though nothing happened, he kept waiting. He thought this pool was his only shot, his last hope. What he didn’t know was that the One who could heal him right away, with just a word, was standing right there beside him. He didn’t know Jesus was near. John 5:8 tells us, “Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”

Many Are in the Same Plight

A lot of us are in the same spot today, aren’t we? We’re waiting for some special feeling, a striking thought, or a heavenly sight. We think we need a big, flashy sign from God. But we’re often waiting for nothing. We watch and watch, and it doesn’t happen.

Okay, maybe sometimes, a few people do see incredible signs. But those are rare. You don’t have a right to expect one for yourself. Especially if you feel like you can’t even make it to the “moving water” even if it did happen. If you feel helpless, waiting for a sign won’t change that.

Waiting in Vain

It’s a really sad thing to think about. So many people are waiting and waiting. They’re using all the right methods, doing all the religious routines, making promises, setting goals. They’ve been doing it for so long, and it’s all been for nothing. Totally for nothing.

While they’re busy doing all that, these folks forget Jesus, who is here right now. He’s telling them to just look to Him and be saved. It’s that simple, but they miss it.

Jesus could heal them instantly. Right away. But they’d rather wait for an angel to show up or for some big, amazing thing to happen. They prefer the long wait over the immediate answer.

The Sure Way to Every Blessing

Trusting Jesus is the only certain path to every good thing you could ever want. He deserves your complete faith. You can put all your confidence in Him.

But when we don’t truly believe, we end up choosing the cold, hard waiting places of life, like those porches at Bethesda, instead of the warm, loving embrace of Jesus. We choose to stay stuck instead of feeling His love.

A Prayer for All Such

Oh, let’s pray tonight that God will look at all the many people who are like this. May He forgive them for ignoring His mighty power. May He call them with that sweet, gentle voice, telling them to get up from their bed of hopelessness. May they, with strong faith, take up their bed and walk, just like the man at the pool.

Lord, please hear our prayer for everyone in this situation, right now, as the sun sets. Before the new day begins, may they look to You and truly live.

So, my friend, is there anything in this message that hits home for you? Is there something here that God is speaking to you about today?