John 5:1-18 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.… I. THE HOSPITAL (vers. 2, 3). 1. Its site. Where God has a temple His worshippers should found a hospital (Isaiah 57:7; Matthew 25:35-40). 2. Its form. It was not the five porches of man's construction, but the water of God's providing that healed; but the former enabled patients to take advantage of the latter. In nature and grace man is permitted to be God's fellow-worker (Deuteronomy 8:3, 18; Psalm 23:1; Psalm 67:6; Hosea 2:21; 2 Corinthians 11:1; Philippians 2:13), but in both He is "Jehovah Rophi" (Exodus 15:26; Deuteronomy 32:39; Psalm 103:3). 3. Its name: House of Grace, than which none could be more appropriate for an institution whose origin was love and whose end was healing, and to which Christ came. 4. Its inmates: specimens of the poor creatures who still crowd the world's infirmaries, and emblems of spiritual invalids. II. THE PATIENT (ver. 5). 1. A great sufferer for half a lifetime. 2. A friendless outcast, touching the lowest deep of human wretchedness (Psalm 142:4). Many such in the lazar house of humanity. 3. A disappointed seeker. One wonders that his heart was not broken by his endless disappointments (Proverbs 13:12; Proverbs 18:14). But "hope springs eternal in the human breast" (Romans 8:24). What a comfort there are no such disappointed seekers after spiritual health (Isaiah 45:19; Matthew 7:7, 8; Zechariah 13:1; Titus 3:5). III. THE PHYSICIAN (ver. 6). 1. His quick observation. Christ's people should cultivate the "seeing eye," for there is no lack of opportunities (Ecclesiastes 9:10; Hebrews 13:6). 2. His perfect diagnosis. Christ apprehends both the man and his malady in every instance (Psalm 7:9; Psalm 119:168; Psalm 139:1-4; Proverbs 15:11; John 1:48; John 2:24, 25; John 4:29; Revelation 2:23). 3. His tender compassion, implied if not expressed. He distinguished between the sinner and his sin (ver. 14). So in imitation of Matthew 5:45 Christian philanthropy should embrace the criminal classes within its care (Galatians 6:10). 4. His hopeful inquiry. 5. His extraordinary prescription equivalent to Ephesians 5:14; Mark 1:15. Christian duty transcends natural ability, but what Christ commands He is willing to supply (John 1:12). IV. THE CURE. 1. Instantaneous, like all His cures physical and spiritual. 2. Complete. (T. Whitelaw, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. |
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