Good day everyone, and welcome back to our journey through the book of John! 😊 Today we’re diving into chapter 5, and my prayer is that as we reflect together, God’s Word will bring encouragement, guidance, and fresh revelation for our daily walk.

“Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, there is a pool called in Aramaic, The House of Loving Kindness, surrounded by five covered porches. Hundreds of sick people were lying under the covered porches—the paralyzed, the blind, and the crippled—all of them waiting for their healing. For an angel of God periodically descended into the pool to stir the waters, and the first one who stepped into the pool after the waters swirled would instantly be healed. Among the many sick people lying there was a man who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, he knew that the man had been crippled for a long time. Jesus said to him, ‘Do you truly long to be well?’ The sick man answered, ‘Sir, there’s no way I can get healed, for I have no one to lower me into the water when the angel comes. As soon as I try to crawl to the edge of the pool, someone else jumps in ahead of me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Stand up! Pick up your sleeping mat and you will walk!’ Immediately he stood up—he was healed! So he rolled up his mat and walked again! Now Jesus worked this miracle on the Sabbath. When the Jewish leaders saw the man walking along carrying his sleeping mat, they objected and said, ‘What are you doing carrying that? Don’t you know it’s the Sabbath? It’s not lawful for you to carry things on the Sabbath!’ He answered them, ‘The man who healed me told me to pick it up and walk.’” — John 5:2–11 (TPT)

This chapter opens with Jesus returning to Jerusalem. Along the way, He passed by the pool of Bethesda, where many sick, disabled, and hurting people were gathered—yet Jesus singled out one man among them all.

This man had been sick for 38 years. Although he was close to the pool, he never managed to receive the healing he hoped for because he had no one to help him get into the water at the right time. Perhaps, like every other day, he sat there hoping that maybe today someone would have compassion and assist him. Little did he know that on this day, he would encounter the One who is the living water and the Great Physician Himself.

I’ve often wondered why Jesus chose him out of the many. Scripture doesn’t tell us explicitly, but perhaps Jesus saw his desire, his helplessness, or simply decided to show him mercy. Whatever the reason, this reminds us that no matter how long a situation has persisted in your life, whether sickness, challenge or any burden, one encounter with Jesus can change everything. Just as Jesus singled out this man, he can single you out and transform your life.

Jesus approached the man and asked a very direct question: “Do you truly long to be well?” Instead of simply saying yes, the man explained why he couldn’t be healed. His response made sense, he answered based on the only method of healing he knew. He couldn’t imagine another way.

How often are we like this man? Jesus offers us new life, mercy, and freedom, yet we look at our circumstances through a purely logical lens. We say, “I’m not qualified… I haven’t done enough… I don’t have the help I need.” We limit God to the methods we’ve seen before, forgetting that He is sovereign and can work however He chooses. Our role is simply to trust Him.

Jesus didn’t address the man’s excuses. He simply said, “Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk!” And immediately, the man obeyed and was healed. No hesitation. No doubt. After 38 years of weakness, he stood on legs he had never used and walked in complete restoration.

Maybe you, too, have been crippled emotionally, spiritually, or physically for far too long. Maybe hope has faded. But Jesus is still speaking today: “Get up. Pick up your mat and walk.” Rise from that situation. Trust Him. Let Him carry the pain, the hurt, the burden, He has already borne it for you.

Today, do not harden your heart. Open it to Jesus. Let Him in. He will guide you, instruct you, restore you, and make you whole.

But notice what happened next. As soon as the man received his miracle, opposition came. The Pharisees weren’t celebrating his healing—they were criticizing him for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Imagine that! After 38 years of suffering, they chose tradition over compassion.

This teaches us something important: there will always be naysayers who question, doubt, or try to diminish your testimony. But like the healed man, it is essential to keep your focus on Jesus and what He has spoken. He said, “The man who healed me told me to pick it up.” He chose obedience to Jesus over the expectations of others and tradition

What situations or voices do you need to choose Jesus over today?

Remember: Jesus is willing and ready to make you whole—you only need to believe and trust Him.

Thank you for joining me today in our study of John 5. I’d love to hear from you—what stood out to you most in this chapter? Share your reflections in the comments below so we can keep growing together.

Here are some reflection questions

Reflection Questions

1. What area of your life needs Jesus’ healing touch today?
2. How might you be limiting God by relying only on what seems logical or familiar?
3. What “mat” is Jesus asking you to pick up — what step of obedience is He calling you to take?
4. How can you keep your focus on Jesus even when others doubt or question your testimony?