Chapter 5
The Son of God
Another title that Jesus used to describe Himself was Son of God. This was probably the one title that got Him in the most trouble with the Jewish religious authorities. They clearly understood that when Jesus accepted the title Son of God He was proclaiming that He was equal to God. For a man to say falsely he was the Son of God would be committing blasphemy against God. This was punishable by death. The Jewish religious establishment never considered that He could be telling the truth and actually was the Son of God. People today who say that the title Son of God just meant that Jesus was a son just like we are sons or children of God have devalued the true meaning of that precious title.
A Paralyzed Man Healed
In Jerusalem, there was a pool of water called Bethesda having five porches. Many people who were sick, blind, lame, or paralyzed would lie near this pool. Scripture records that at times an angel would come and stir the water, and the first person into the pool after that stirring would be healed of his infirmity. There was a man there one day who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. Let’s see from Scripture what happened when this man met Jesus.
6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." 9 And immediately the man was made well,