John 5: A Poolside Healing

The first two signs that Jesus did (John 2: water to wine; John 4: healing of the official’s son) were observed by small groups of people at relatively isolated locations. But all that changes in John 5 as Jesus comes into Jerusalem during a Jewish feast and on the Sabbath day in order to heal a man who had been lame for 38 years. Jesus’ ministry and identity is now fully public.

Jesus has chosen this moment in this setting to publicly and universally reveal that he is God. He is either the fulfillment of all God’s promises, or he is not. He is either the only source of forgiveness and life, or he is not. He is either the final Judge over the ones who reject him, or he is not. He alone has come to bring life, or there is no hope for life. ‘Whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life…[and] has passed from death to life.’ (5:24)
As Jesus Publicly And Universally Reveals His Identity, We See…

His miraculous healing. (1-15)
His opponent’s escalating rejection. (16-18)
His preeminent authority. (19-29)
The irrefutable witnesses. (30-47)