THE IMPOTENT MAN

John 5:6-9

Morning Meditation 4/2/2014

"When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath."

We will actually study the first fifteen verses. The man was impotent and had been that way for 38 years. He lay in one of the five porches waiting for the moving of the waters. The Scriptures say that an angel came and troubled the water and whoever was first in the pool when this happened was healed of whatever disease he had. Let's notice first--

THE MAN'S SORROWFUL CONDITION

He had this infirmity for thirty-eight years. This infirmity was probably the result of sin. John 5:14, "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee."

Sin has its penalty even in this life. Many sicknesses that are incurred in this world are self inflicted, because man in an attempt to satisfy his lust, does a God forbidden thing. Most people who have AIDS got it by violating God's Word. Homosexuality is forbidden in the word of God. Romans 1:24-27, "Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet."

We are not told what sin caused this man to be impotent. But Jesus definitely indicates that some sin did. Jesus warns him in John 5:14, "Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee." Next let's notice--

THE HUMBLE POSITION

This "certain man was there." Where? Among the blind, halt, withered, waiting. He was not ashamed to take his place among the helpless and needy. If he had been unwilling to take his place with these helpless and needy folk he would not have been there when Jesus came.

Salvation can only come to those who take their place as sinners. Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Next let's look at--

THE FRUITLESS EFFORT

He told Jesus, "While I am coming, another steppeth down before me." I am sure all these poor afflicted people made a mad dash for the pool when the waters were troubled.

He did the best he could to reach the waters when they were troubled but his efforts were all fruitless. Each time his efforts only ended in disappointment and failure. This illustrates the human effort to be saved by ones good works. His effort will all end in disappointment. Next let's look at--

THE MERCIFUL DELIVERER

John 5:6, "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?"

This was a question that brought from him the explanation that when the water was troubled someone always blocked the way and beat him to the pool. This is also true in reaching the lost. There are those who block the way and make it difficult for the unsaved to obtain deliverance. This man needed someone to come where he was. Jesus did this. And Jesus had done this for mankind. Jesus has come where we are. He asks us, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Next let's look at--

THE PERSONAL CALL

Jesus said, "Rise, take up thy bed and walk." This call must have come with startling suddenness. He had not walked for 38 years. Jesus told him to get up and take up your bed and walk. The man obeyed what Jesus said and a new day began for him there.

The man was later found in the Temple testifying to the power that set him free. We need to do the same as Christians.

May the Lord bless these words to our hearts.

In Christ

Bro. White