John 5:1-18 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.… Bethesda means house of mercy, and we have such a House and such a pool in the Church of God and the water of salvation. The pool was a crowded spot, and the poor crippled man had been all these years without finding a place in it. I. But THERE IS ROOM IN CHRIST'S HOUSE OF MERCY, AND IT IS THE BEST PLACE FOR ALL. 1. For little children. 2. For young men and maidens. 3. For the old. II. God's House is the best place for all who HAVE SINNED AND REPENTED. Very often people who have gone wrong cease to come to Church. They feel unfit. But let them repent and come home like the prodigal. Then they will find pardon and peace. III. God's House is the best place for those WHO CAME TO JESUS, BUT HAVE GONE BACK AGAIN. Can that companion of drunkards and bad women be the same who used to say, "Our Father" with innocent lips, and was ashamed to tell a lie? Are you happier for going back from Jesus? Well, there is room for even you in the House of Mercy, and cleansing for you in the Blood of Jesus. IV. HOW MANY OF US ARE LYING LIKE THESE MEN AT BETHESDA? 1. Some of us are paralyzed by sin, evil habits, worldliness. 2. Some are dumb who babble in the world but never speak to God. 3. Some are deaf who hear the offers of the market, yet cannot hear the offers of God. 4. Here in God's House of mercy there is a hospital for all manner of disease. (H. J. W. Buxton, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. |
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