Dig Deeper:
ANSWER THE QUESTION: The question Jesus asks in v6 is perhaps as simple as the questions come: "Do you want to get well?" But notice that the man never answers the question. Instead, he gives an excuse as to why he can't get into the healing waters of the pool. Why do you think the man doesn't reply to the simple question with a simple 'yes'?
I think he doesn't answer because it's just assumed that anyone in that man's condition would want to get well; add to that the fact that he's sitting next to a pool known for its miraculous healing properties. Of course he wants to get well... Why does Jesus ask such an obvious question?
Do you want to get well? Maybe your response to that is to offer an excuse of why you can't always make it to church or do this or that. Maybe you have faithfully gone to church twice a Sunday for your entire life, so it's 'obvious' you want to get well. Or maybe you should just straight up answer Jesus' question for yourself.
JESUS LEAVES NO DOUBT: One of John's themes is to show conclusively that Jesus is God. Not just a miraculous prophet, or even just the Son of God, but rather that Jesus and God are one and the same. John also makes clear that the Jerusalem establishment recognized the claims Jesus was making about Himself and therefore wanted to kill Him (v18).
FINALLY A STRAIGHT LINE IN A BOOK OF CURVES: John has a unique literary style that sometimes reminds me of a fly: it never seems to go in a straight line. But v24-25 show how straightforward and sequential the gospel is:
Hear the Word
Believe in Him who sent Jesus (the focus of the Word)
You will live (you will not be condemned, rather you have crossed over from death to life)
READING THE BIBLE IS IMPORTANT, BUT IT'S ONLY A MEANS TO AN END: Jesus makes clear that just reading scripture, even 'diligently studying' them, may not do a person any good (v39-20). History is full of examples of people who knew the Bible exceptionally well, but totally missed that which the Bible is pointing towards: salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, because of Christ alone. Don't miss the obvious this Christmas season: read the Bible daily for sure, but don't miss who and what all sixty six books are pointed towards.
Follow the AAA Prayer Pattern:
ACKNOWLEDGE WHO GOD IS: Honor the Father by honoring the Son (v23)
ALIGN YOUR LIFE WITH GOD'S WILL: Pray that God will open your eyes so that you don't miss what His Word so obviously points toward: Jesus
ASK GOD FOR WHAT YOU NEED:
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