Treasuring Jesus - John 15:1-17

Jesus Heals by the Pool of Bethesda

Observations: There are so many little things that jump out of this passage!

"Do you want to be healed?" - What seems like a silly question could possibly have been just asking the man to think about what he really wanted; what was his motivation for sitting there? There is no question that The Lord asks of us that doesn't have the purpose of making us take the time to think about our response. {Interesting study idea - questions asked by God}

"Sir, I have no one to put me in. . . " - How often do we, like the man, desire to be 'healed' and yet we can't seem to see past what we know is our complete inability to do anything about it ourself.

"Who is the man who said to you, take up your bed and walk?" - I just find that incredibly funny and telling at the same time. Not "Who healed you?" but "Who said you could break OUR laws of the Sabbath?" A miracle was walking right in front of them, and they were clearly focused only on their interpretation of what was right and wrong.

"Afterwards Jesus found him in the temple" - It was almost as if Jesus said, "We aren't done yet." He doesn't just want to heal the man physically, he wants to be sure he gets the spiritual side of it too.

Applications: So much that I can apply to my life from this one interaction at the pool of Bethesda.

~ What do I really want the Lord to do in my life?

~ How have I limited God by seeing His ability only through the scope of what I think is possible?

~ Have I lost sight of how God is working because I'm too busy focusing on my way of doing things and my seeming responsibilities?

~ Where am I spending my time? Is it where Jesus can easily find me or is it off and running to get on with my life?


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Treasuring Jesus - John 4:46-54

Jesus and the Nobleman's Son
Observation: Jesus' rebuke of not believing without visible proof was not aimed harshly at the man. It was a statement made regarding all of the Galileans in general not him specifically. (Plural form of the pronoun 'you' is used.) The fact that the man asked again showed that his faith was deeper than the surface - he wanted Christ's help and he knew Christ could help.
Application: "The man believed. . . and went." My faith must always result in action or it isn't true faith. What am I doing today that puts feet to my faith?
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Treasuring Jesus - John 4:39-45

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman - part 4

Observation: Again Jesus goes out of His way to meet the needs of others, probably even to the grumbling complaints of His disciples - if He stayed two days in the city, they had to stay too!

Application: Something small that caught my eye. . . The Samaritans acknowledged Him for what He said - the Galileans acknowledged Him for what He did. How about me? Does God have to act for me to listen, or is it enough for Him to just say ?

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Treasuring Jesus - John 14:27-38

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman - part 3

Observation: Jesus was quite comfortable speaking to both a woman who was seeking and a group of men who were clueless. Both He handled as they needed, and both He treated with kindness and respect.

Application: Outside of the reminder that "the fields are white for harvest," I was struck by the kindness of The Lord toward frail, needy, undeserving people. He handled them, not as would be most convenient for him, but as would be best for them. Do I show that same love and kindness for others? Do I lump everyone together, or do I enter each situation looking for what that person needs and tailoring my response to meet that need as much as humanly possible? It's not the easy way, but it is the Jesus way.


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Treasuring Jesus - John 4:16-26

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman - part 2

Observation: Jesus isn't going to overlook our sin just because we are seeking Him. Sin is sin and must be dealt with.

Application: Jesus said "the Father is seeking such people to worship Him." Am I what He is seeking - a worshipper in spirit and in truth? Or am I a worshipper in appearance and convenience?

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Treasuring Jesus John 14:1-15

John 4:1-15

Jesus and the Samaritan Woman

Observation: Christ has such incredible compassion on those who aren't very lovely. He also is a master at presenting Himself (the gospel) in a way that draws the other person so naturally in.

Application: Is my salvation "bubbling up" like fresh spring water from within me? Is it noticeable to others? Does it offer refreshment to others?


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