Topic: Hope and Healing. Category: Hope> Healing>
Scriptures: John 5:5-9, John 5:10-15.
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Let us go to the book of John and read how Jesus speaks hope and healing into a situation of hopelessness and sickness.
John 5:5-9 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.
hope as jesus sees
During His time on earth as a man, Jesus went about doing good. He healed the sick and raised the dead, testifying of the love of God the Father. In this passage of text Jesus comes to the temple. There were so many people, the rich and the poor, the sick and the well, all doing life as best they could. In amongst the crowd of many people Jesus sees the one, a man, an outcaste, who is sick and all alone.
Day after day people walk past this man and ignore him. They give him no respect; do not even see him, yet Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Man stops. Jesus sees the man’s need and gives the man respect by acknowledging his existence. First of all we learn that Jesus sees. We read in the text, ‘When Jesus saw him lying there …’ Not only did Jesus notice the man, but He is aware of his need and situation.
hope as jesus knows
Jesus knows the man has been in this condition for such a long time. The man is alone, an outcast, with all hope gone. When a person looses hope through the circumstances of this life, there is a darkness that overwhelms the mind.
The darkness of the mind is a darkness that is so dark it can be felt. When all hope is gone the thoughts of self-harm, unworthiness and sorrow overwhelm. Not wanting another day. These are the thoughts of darkness. The darkness of the mind can be so dark, yet Jesus speaks hope and healing bringing light and life into the man’s darkness.
First Jesus gives the man respect and acknowledges his existence. Second Jesus acknowledges his condition and his need. Thirdly Jesus engages in conversation and asks a question. ‘Do you want to get well?’ This question is not to challenge or condemn the man. In fact Jesus is speaking hope into the man’s hopeless situation.
Jesus is giving the man hope, speaking light into the man’s darkness. Jesus opens this man’s mind to receive the possibility that he could be made well, so that he can be ready to receive from Jesus.
Holistic Approach
Jesus knows and understands the man’s physical condition, mental condition and spiritual condition. So we learn that Jesus sees and then we learn Jesus knows.
It is not about the man’s relationship with Jesus, as the man did not even know who Jesus was. Even the man’s weaknesses are not the issue as Jesus is stronger. The matter is not about the man’s desire to get well, because Jesus’ desire to heal is greater. Nor about the man’s lack of faith, because God gives each one a measure of faith. It is all about Jesus. Seeing the man’s condition, knowing the man’s thinking, Jesus heals.
Physically the man had been sick so many years. Mentally the hope of getting well had been taken from his life by those around him. Spiritually he did not know that his Creator loves him and wants to bring hope and healing in this life and the next. After the man had received his healing he came to know the one who spoke hope and healing into his situation of darkness was Jesus.
hope as jesus heals
The man as a result of his healing then testifies, that Jesus has made him well. Jesus heals physically, mentally, and spiritually. Jesus is greater than all blockages that prevent us from receiving from Him. As Jesus walked the earth as a man he revealed the heart of God the Father. He revealed God wants to give hope to the hopeless, healing to the broken, love to the rejected, light in the darkness, life in the dead – physically, mentally and spiritually – in this life in this world damaged by evil and yes in the next.
Jesus, God the Son revealed He has all power and authority. It all belongs to Him. His kingdom is a kingdom of hope, healing, love, light, and life everlasting. He wants to give Himself and His Kingdom to all who are willing. Sadly there are those who have seen the light, yet knowingly choose the darkness.
Let us read on in John 5:10-15 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’” Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
Power and Authority
The kingdom of God causes great confrontation to those who knowingly refuse to receive the light and choose darkness. Knowingly choose to reject Jesus knowing who He is, what He has done and will do. Not only make their own free choice to reject Jesus yet they try to prevent others from entering in. Jesus considers this of great harm, choosing to become with evil. The religious leaders of the day did not want to give up their power and control over people, did not want to enter into the light and chose to reject Jesus. Chose to reject His power and authority and His kingdom.
There can be many things in this life that can block us from receiving healing from Jesus. When there is a blockage in a hose that is connected to a full tank that is forever freely flowing, once the water comes to the blockage in the hose it cannot go any further. As a result the water cannot pour out of the end of the hose and water the plants.
The Good News
The good news is Jesus is greater than any blockage mentally, physically and spiritually. We learn from this passage of text that Jesus sees, knows and heals. He sees our situation, our needs, our sorrow and our pain. In amongst the multitudes He sees the one.
Jesus knows our situation, our need and all things. He Himself chose to subject Himself to the human condition. Jesus even knows those who will come to Him and those who will eternally reject Him. Healing physically, mentally and spiritually.
Let us remove all barriers and tear down our religious thinking that is blocking people receiving from Jesus, from experiencing the living God. It’s all about Jesus, who He is, what He has done and will do.
Can Jesus Take Away That Curse?
In conclusion I will share a recent encounter with a man. He told me his sister had put a curse on his body. Also that she wants his property and is expecting him to die. He said, ‘for the first time in my life I’m starting to experience physical pain. I’m starting to experience sickness. Can Jesus take away that curse?’ I said absolutely! On the cross Jesus defeated all the curses. We simply be willing to receive. He said I’m not willing to receive Jesus but will you pray for me? I said ok. I will be praying in the power and authority of Jesus. He is the only one who can take away the curse on your body. Do you still want me to pray? He said yes. So I prayed.
I opened my eyes and there he was standing there wide-eyed and motionless. I felt God prompt me to ask him what he had experienced. So I asked him. He said in amazement I felt this peace flow through my entire body. I said that’s Jesus. Jesus has declared peace over your body. He received it with great joy and went about telling everybody, ‘power of God, power of God.’
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Sermon categories: son of man> love of God> hope and healing> know God> truth> power> end times> experience God> life> success in life> kingdom>
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