Book of John: John 5
This week we continued our journey through the Book of John with a focus on chapter 5 and the theme “Fully Alive.” We kicked off with a simple image: phone batteries. Some of us live in the red and stretch it as far as we can; others stay constantly plugged in. The problem with staying “always full” is that a battery can develop a false memory—it looks full but actually loses capacity. In the same way, we can chase a false sense of fullness by plugging into the wrong sources. Jesus isn’t inviting us to stay superficially charged; He’s inviting us into the abundant life He promises in John 10:10—life that’s truly and deeply alive in Him.
John 5 opens with Jesus entering Jerusalem and meeting a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, waiting by the pool of Bethesda. People believed the water’s stirring brought healing, but that hope was built on a myth, not God’s heart. Jesus asks the man a piercing question: “Do you want to be healed?” Instead of answering yes, the man explains why he can’t get to the pool. He’s stuck in a story that says the solution is out of reach. But Jesus, full of compassion and authority, simply says, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” Immediately, he’s healed—not by a ritual, not by being first in line, but by Jesus Himself.
John notes this happened on the Sabbath, and that matters. The Sabbath isn’t just a break from work; it’s a gift meant to help us cease striving and remember who God is and what He’s done. It points us to dependence, not performance. In healing on the Sabbath, Jesus shows He is Lord over the Sabbath—the true source of rest and restoration. While the religious leaders fixated on rules, Jesus revealed the heart of God: real rest and real life are found in Him, not in rituals or routines.
The story takes a turn as the leaders escalate their opposition, accusing Jesus of breaking Sabbath rules and claiming equality with God. Jesus doesn’t back down—He clarifies: “My Father is working until now, and I am working.” He’s the Son who mirrors the Father perfectly, and the Father has given all judgment to the Son. Yes, Jesus is the Judge—but He came not to condemn, but to save. He invites anyone who hears His word and believes to pass from death to life. To meet the leaders on their own terms, Jesus lines up witnesses: John the Baptist, His own works, the Father’s testimony, and the Scriptures themselves—all pointing to Him. It’s a sobering warning: it’s possible to know the rules and miss the relationship.
Jesus doesn’t just heal the man’s body; He calls him to a transformed life: “Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.” In other words, don’t stop at the gift—step into the Giver. The closer we are to Jesus, the more we become our true selves. Church history captures it beautifully: “The glory of God is man fully alive” (Irenaeus). Being fully alive isn’t about packing in more spiritual activities; it’s about walking in a real relationship with Jesus—listening to His voice, trusting His heart, obeying His word, and going where He leads. We stay plugged into Him and we pour out for Him. If we only focus on staying “charged” without stepping into obedience and service, we miss the point. Jesus invites us to know Him and then join Him—loving, serving, witnessing, and making disciples in everyday life.
If you’re feeling stuck, broken, or empty—like the man at the pool—know this: Jesus sees you, knows you, and offers true healing. He has already borne our judgment on the cross and invites us to get up and walk in new life. Don’t stand next to your own “pool,” waiting for the perfect routine or the next self-help fix. Shift your hope from the pool to the Person. Jesus is the source of abundant life, and He’s inviting you to live fully alive in Him.
Next steps:
Say yes to Jesus: Pray simply, “Jesus, I want to be healed. I trust You as my source of life.” Invite Him into your situation today.
Open your Bible daily: Read John 5 and John 10:10 this week. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you’ve believed false sources and how Jesus is inviting you into abundant life.
Practice Sabbath: Choose a day or half-day to cease striving—unplug, rest, remember who God is, and thank Him for His provision. Use that time to worship, pray, and reflect on His faithfulness.
Trade routine for relationship: Keep a running conversation with Jesus throughout your day. Read a Gospel passage for 15 minutes, ask what it shows you about Him, and respond with trust and obedience.
Take a step of obedience: Where is Jesus telling you to “get up, take up your bed, and walk”? Do the next right thing—reconcile with someone, confess a hidden struggle, serve someone in need, or begin a habit that honors Him.
Repent and realign: Identify one area of sin or self-reliance. Confess it to Jesus and take a concrete step of repentance today.
Invite accountability: Share your next step with a trusted friend or small group and ask them to check in this week.