Summary
This sermon by David Fisher, titled Just One Step Away, explores the multifaceted healing of the man at the pool of Bethesda in John 5:1–17. It highlights the intentional and layered way John presents this miracle—not just as a healing but as a theological message about Jesus’s identity, human worthiness, and divine grace. Fisher unpacks seven “layers” in the story, ranging from Jesus’s divine identity to the deeper personal question posed by Christ: “Do you want to be made well?” The sermon emphasizes that healing and restoration are always one step away when we respond honestly to Jesus’s invitation, regardless of past sins or present feelings of unworthiness.
Key Points
- Jesus’s identity as the Son of God is central; He explicitly aligns His actions with the ongoing work of the Father, even on the Sabbath.
- The healing’s location—near the Sheep Gate, used for blemish-free sacrificial animals—symbolizes that the man was made spiritually whole and fit to enter God’s presence.
- The man healed had no notable faith or prior relationship with Jesus, indicating that worthiness is not a prerequisite for divine healing.
- Legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath are challenged, as Jesus demonstrates that compassion and healing take precedence over ritual.
- The core question “Do you want to be made well?” is a personal, introspective call to confront our sin, brokenness, and desire for real transformation.
Bible Verses Referenced
- John 5:1–17 – The healing at the pool of Bethesda and Jesus’s discourse on the Sabbath.
- Nehemiah 3:1 – Construction and consecration of the Sheep Gate.
- Romans 12:1 – Believers called to be living sacrifices, holy and acceptable to God.
- 1 Peter 2:24 – By His wounds we are healed, reinforcing the theme of spiritual and physical healing.
- 1 John 1:9 – The assurance that confession leads to forgiveness and cleansing from unrighteousness.
Read the full sermon transcript here.
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