Opening Thoughts
-Jesus changing water into wine testified to His creative power to change the quality of things.
-His cleansing of the temple showed His authority over the institutions of Judaism.
-Nicodemus testified to Jesus having come from God, and His role as an authoritative teacher, which was a common Jewish response to Him.
-John the Baptist bore witness to Jesus' identity as the Messiah.
-The Samaritan woman's testimony implied that Jesus was omniscient [all knowing].
-Many other Samaritans acknowledged Jesus as the Savior of the world, which was a common Gentile response to Him.
-The official whose son Jesus healed from afar came to recognize Him as the Healer whose word can overcome the problem of distance as well as disease.
Questions Jesus Asked
“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
-Matthew 16:26
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? 4 Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?”
Matthew 7:3-4
“A familiar captivity is frequently more desirable than an unfamiliar freedom” - C.S. Lewis
Jesus’ Words
Healed him- “He took his bed and walked”
Instructed him- “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”
Were immediate- “At once the man was healed”
Fulfilled Prophecy- Isaiah 35:3-6
Questions to Think About
How do we respond to the healing Jesus has given?
Do we respond with praise and thanksgiving?
Do we respond with attentiveness to the Messiah?
Or do we hoard the blessing we receive and crave for more?
Do we gratefully accept what God offers freely, or do we grumble and demand that God play by our rules?
Do we respond by seeking out other people in need of blessing so we can point them to Jesus?