“Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God: and every one that loveth him that begat loveth him also that is begotten of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the Spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son.” | John 5: 1-9

Some say the pool at Bethesda was a superstitious pool and had no virtue in its water. Others say that it was blessed of God by the presence of an angel who troubled its water and gave healing virtue to the first to plunge into the pool.

I personally see this pool as a picture of both. But the real significance of Bethesda’s pool is the sovereign King of Glory who graced it with His presence. The only reason for it to be preserved or mentioned at all; the only value to it or virtue it could claim is that of the Lord Jesus Christ. Before He appeared or after his appearance, he is still the source of its virtue and the magic of its water.

I thought as I studied these passages how much this applies to all that we are and do.

1. As your pastor: I have no reason to be honored, listened to, obeyed, or followed except for Christ. If Christ be in me and in my ministry and in my life then this office has honor but without Him it is just another hollow form of religion.
2. The building we meet in: There is nothing special about this building or the grounds. But if this place is used to honor God’s King, He will also honor this place. If Christ be here, I had rather meet here than in the greatest cathedral in the world.
3. This assembly: Of what value is a crowd if Christ is not in their midst? A huge multitude gathered on the outskirts of Canaan without Christ and accomplished nothing except to bring down the wrath of God on their heads.
4. Worship: Who will bring us to the Father? Who will take our pitiful gifts and make them acceptable? Who will show us the Father that we might know him and be stirred to worship?
5. Reading the scriptures: “To Him give all the prophets witness”, Take Christ out of the Bible and it is just another book.
6. Preaching: Oh, what a pitiful exercise would preaching be if it were not for Christ. What could you say to perishing sinners? What comfort could you give to the suffering? What hope could you offer to the lost?

The real significance of the pool is that which God has attached to everything that is – The Lord Jesus Christ. “All things were created by Him and for Him” (Colossians 1: 16)

~ Pastor Darvin Pruitt

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Kingsport Sovereign Grace Church Bulletin Article date: 13 June, 2021 | Previous post date: n/a