THE KING’S BUSINESS
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22:17). The only reason why any man does not obtain life in Christ is because he will not come to Him (John 5:40). To every one of us Jesus puts the question, “Wilt thou be made whole?” Jesus did not ask the man if he would be made better, but if he would be made “whole.” The trouble with the average sinner is that he wishes to be made better, but is not willing to be made whole. This man could not make himself whole, the man must first recognize how dire was his need, and so must the sinner first recognize how dire is his need. v. 7. “The impotent (sick) 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.” The only way of being made whole of which this man had any thought was through the efficacy of the healing waters of the pool. It was impossible for him to experience this healing power. It was evidently an intermittent spring, and while the water was bubbling up with its healing efficacy some one else crowded in before him and shut him out. But it is especially the men whom the world crowds out in their eager haste that our Lord especially regards and is ready to help. vs. 8 , 9. “ Jesus saith unto him, Rise (Arise), take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately (straightway) the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and bn the same day was the sabbath (now it was the sabbath on that day).” The man had thought that there was no hope for him except in the healing waters which *he could never reach at the proper time, but Jesus spoke a word, that was all, and by tfye power of that word he was healed. He indeed must be Divine in whose word there is so much power (cf. Ps. 107:20), and there is power in the word of the same Jesus Christ today to save all who believe (Rom. 1:16). All one has to do to live- is to hear His words and believe (John 5:24). The cure was not only com plete, it was instantaneous (cf. Mark 1:31, 42; 5 :29, 41, 42; 10:52; Acts 3:7, 8 ). How different this healing was from the
able and hopeless and helpless case present was the one Jesus especially noticed and helped. This man had been there often (v. 7), and his chse seemed to be beyond all hope, but it was not beyond hope, because there is nothing too hard for the Lord (Gen. 18:14; Jer. 32:17). v. 6 . "When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou (Wouldest thou) be made whole?” “Jesus saw him.” Yes, Jesus saw him, saw him in his wretched and hopeless condition. He always sees men in their wretchedness, helplessness and hopelessness. The sight of this unfortunate man at once moved Him to compassion (cf. Matt. 14:14). Jesus always has a feeling of compassion as He looks upon the sufferings, and misfortunes of men (Heb, 13:8; 4:15, 16; Isa. 63:9). Our misfortunes may repel men from us, but they draw the Lord Jesus to us. The fact that he had been a long time in his wretchedness, especially awakened the sym pathy of Jesus. But how did Jesus know that “he had been now a long time in that case?” Because of that omiscience that so often shone out in His contact here on earth with men (cf. John 4:16-19; Mark 2:8;¡Luke 5:22; John 2:24, 25; 6:64; 1:48; Luke 22:10-12; John 13:1; Luke 5:4-6; John 21:17; 16:30; Col. 2:3). The fact that any sinner has been in his present awful case a long time is no reason for supposing Jesus will not take an interest in him, save, or help, or heal him, but a reason for sup posing He will take a special interest in him. Over and over again He gave deliverance to those who had been a long time in their sickness or misfortune of one kind or another (Mark 9:21; Luke 8:43; Acts 3:2; cf. 4:22; 9:43; 14:8). Jesus apparently selected this man from all, the sad cases at the pool because it was the saddest and most hopeless'case of all. He delights in the hopeless caseS. The ques tion that Jesus put to the man implies that our being made whole depends upon our will. Jesus is ever willing and able, the only question is are we willing (Rev.
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