Verses 43–54
The father was a nobleman, yet the son was sick. Honours and titles are no security from sickness
and death. The greatest men must go themselves to God, must become beggars. The nobleman did
not stop from his request till he prevailed. But at first he discovered the weakness of his faith in
the power of Christ. It is hard to persuade ourselves that distance of time and place, are no hinderance
to the knowledge, mercy, and power of our Lord Jesus. Christ gave an answer of peace. Christ's
saying that the soul lives, makes it alive. The father went his way, which showed the sincerity of
his faith. Being satisfied, he did not hurry home that night, but returned as one easy in his own
mind. His servants met him with the news of the child's recovery. Good news will meet those that
hope in God's word. Diligent comparing the works of Jesus with his word, will confirm our faith.
And the bringing the cure to the family brought salvation to it. Thus an experience of the power of
one word of Christ, may settle the authority of Christ in the soul. The whole family believed likewise.
The miracle made Jesus dear to them. The knowledge of Christ still spreads through families, and
men find health and salvation to their souls.
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
The cure at the pool of Bethesda. (1–9)
The Jews' displeasure. (10–16)
Christ reproves the Jews. (17–23)
Christ's discourse. (24–47)Verses 1–9
We are all by nature impotent folk in spiritual things, blind, halt, and withered; but full provision
is made for our cure, if we attend to it. An angel went down, and troubled the water; and what
disease soever it was, this water cured it, but only he that first stepped in had benefit. This teaches
us to be careful, that we let not a season slip which may never return. The man had lost the use of
his limbs thirty-eight years. Shall we, who perhaps for many years have scarcely known what it
has been to be a day sick, complain of one wearisome night, when many others, better than we,
have scarcely known what it has been to be a day well? Christ singled this one out from the rest.
Those long in affliction, may comfort themselves that God keeps account how long. Observe, this
man speaks of the unkindness of those about him, without any peevish reflections. As we should
be thankful, so we should be patient. Our Lord Jesus cures him, though he neither asked nor thought
of it. Arise, and walk. God's command, Turn and live; Make ye a new heart; no more supposes
power in us without the grace of God, his distinguishing grace, than this command supposed such
power in the impotent man: it was by the power of Christ, and he must have all the glory. What a