Poolside at Bethesda: Christ’s Pursuit of Sinners
As we make our way through John’s gospel we continue to see Jesus performing signs. This week Jesus is in Jerusalem and has come to the pool where supposedly those afflicted with disease can receive healing. The man who had been sick thirty eight years woke up one morning not realizing his life would be changed, for that day he would meet the Great Physician. Please note that this man did not seek after Christ, but Christ sought the man. This rings true for us as well. To each of us who call ourselves believers in Christ, only believe by God’s sovereign grace. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast.” In this entire passage (John 5:1-17) we see Christ pursuing the sick, healing the sick and drawing sinners to Himself. Oh that all our testimonies would reflect this paradigm that is centered about Christ’s works and not ours.
