JESUS RELATES TO HUMAN NEEDS
John 5:1-9
INTRO: Different people relate to different human needs. Physicians relate to our health needs; lawyers take care of our legal needs; counselors relate to our emotional and relational needs. People have numerous needs, and various people help with these needs.
Jesus related to human needs. John recorded many incidents of Jesus relating to human needs: social needs, water to wine: health, nobleman’s son healed: physical, multiplying of loaves and fishes. Jesus related to numerous human needs.
The healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda represents a good example of how Jesus helps people with needs. Look at the Master and His ways of helping.
I. JESUS LOOKS WITH COMPASSION.
Jesus went to a Jewish feast in Jerusalem. Near the sheep market, Jesus saw a multitude of people waiting for the moving of the water at the pool of Bethesda. Within the crowd, Jesus saw a man who had been waiting to be healed for thirty-eight years. “Jesus saw him lie” (v. 6a). It was a look of compassion.
Think about the multitudes of people with their many needs around our church. Jesus still has the look of compassion for hurting people. Do we have that look?
II. JESUS QUESTIONS WITH INTEREST.
Jesus asked the paralyzed man a strange question: “Wilt thou be whole?” (v. 6b). Jesus knew that if the man was healed, he would take on a different life-style. His life would take on larger responsibilities. Though Jesus question was strange, it was relevant.
Jesus still asks, “Do you want to change?” Some people feel comfortable in their life-style. To follow Christ would mean a change.
III. JESUS SPEAKS WITH POWER.
Jesus spoke some words which created a change in the crippled man’s life. “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk” (v. 8). Jesus gave the man a new kind of life.
Jesus has power to give anyone a new kind of life. When a person is willing, the Lord is willing to change.
CONC: How do you relate to people’s needs? Do you have compassion? Do you desire to help people change? Let Jesus use you to minister to others in our church and community.
