THE CHAPTER OF THE GREAT PHYSICIAN (John 5) A WONDERFUL PICTURE OF THE COMPASSION OF JESUS

1. There was a feast of the Jews- Jesus went to Jerusalem without most of his Disciples -alone?
2. We are not sure just where this fits into the time schedule- but the message is fairly blunt
3. Jesus ministered in two areas - he healed at the Pool, and taught in the Temple: both were misunderstood and criticized; and widened the gap with the Pharisees & Jewish leaders 

I. THE POOL AND THE TEMPLE  John 5:1-18

The movement from one area to another- very close together, along Eastern wall of City

A.- THE MIRACLE AT THE POOL BY THE SHEEP MARKET THAT CAUSED A MAN TO BREAK THE SABBATH 5:1-

1. Just inside the NE gate, 1/4 mile from the Garden of Gethsemane & Mt of olives, N of Temple
2. The name is debated- but place is not! 5 porches; called sheep pond; spring of water or pipe
3. Great multitude of sick people and a tradition of healing - here were the poor, smelly, false hope
4. But Jesus was moved with compassion on the worst of the lot- offered healing- but v.7
5. Jesus healed him-told him to go, and he was condemned by Jews for carrying cot on Sabbath 10
6. Later Jesus met him in the Temple v.14 and dealt with him concerning his sin & departed

B.- THE TEACHING AND ARGUMENT IN THE TEMPLE, v. 15, 16- ARGUMENT OVER TRADITION AND LIFE

1. The stifling glitter and unreality of the tradition bound, richly oriented Temple- Man's glory
2. The leaders appealed to Moses' law, hanging on to every word- analyzing, figuring, debating
3. They were wise in the legalism of the law- but unmoved by the suffering a block away- sheep pond
4. When the man they KNEW to be healed pointed out Jesus- they sought to persecute Him- v.16

One multitude with a false hope, the other with a false religious order - both suffering

II. SEARCH THE SCRIPTURES John 5:39

There are many conflicting religious beliefs- they all cannot be right, nor true! - Can they?

A.- THESE JEWS WERE THE LEGALISTS WHO HONORED THE SCRIPTURES GREATLY, THE ZEALOTS !

1. They had such a reverence for the Bible- wore it on forehead, neck, arm, & on door post-
2. Remind me of a person with a white Redletter Bible with a gold cross- unused for 25 years
3. They loved to argue over how much walk on Sabbath, how much load, how far, etc.

B.- THESE JEWS CLAIMED TO BELIEVE THE LETTER OF THE LAW OF MOSES, AND STUDIED IT WITH VIGOR -

1. Moses gave the 10 commandments,- the great Commandment,- lots of material about love, justice
2. But they came out with rituals, dead sacrifices, formal ceremonies, great pomp and splendor
3. The easy teaching of Jesus was a threat to their very existence- & the slavery they enforced

C.- THEY WORSHIPPED THE LETTER OF THE LAW, BUT KNEW NOTHING OF THE SPIRIT OF GOD

1. The description by Paul II Cor 3:3-8 - the letter of the law killeth, the spirit giveth life
2. Is it possible to believe the Bible and be lost?- James 2:19 Devils believe & tremble
3. Can you believe in God and be lost?- John 14:1b-a plea from lips of Jesus- Ye believe in God- believe also in me 

There are many who are close to the Kingdom today- but Acts 26:28 (almost), and Mark 12:34 (not far)

III.- AND YE WILL NOT COME!  John 5:40

The same lips that said "Ye will not come to me" also said "Come unto me, all ye that labor"

A.- WHY WILL MEN NOT COME TO JESUS THROUGH SIMPLE FAITH?  WHY BUILD A WALL OF RELIGION?

1. The Jewish leaders had come to call it Their religion; Their land; -Theirs- but not God's!  This is pride!  Death of Lucifer
2. Sometimes the obstacle is a family, or religious tradition--
3. Sometimes the obstacle is intellectual- educated wrong and, refuse to think right refuse to accept anything unless they think of it first.

B.- ARE WE IMUNE TO THAT PRIDE TODAY? - WHAT ?

1. What do you think makes so many churches- many close to truth, but so quick to deviate once started?
2. But God holds each individual personally responsible to study the Bible - Know truth - be free
3. How can you know John 7:17?  If you are willing to obey, God will guide you! Are you willing?

C.- THESE PEOPLE IN JESUS' TIME DID NOT REALLY BELIEVE MOSES OR THE BIBLE - CF. John 5:46-47

1. They said they believed in Moses- but Moses wrote of Jesus;  If wont Believe Moses- not Jesus
2. Though Jesus and His Word has the ring of history, still people remain ignorant of Him today
3. Make sure your faith is grounded on Bible - reasonable, prudent, balanced,- & well studied!

Whether men trust ancient tradition- or modern feeling - Only The Bible leads to Christ!

WE EACH HAVE THE BIBLE, THE SAME OPPORTUNITY TO SEARCH IT, AND THE SAME CHANCE TO SEEK TRUTH!

1. If you are lost you will have no one to blame than yourself - Search the Word! 
2. If as a Christian you are misguided - will be by wresting the scripture - so Study it!
3. If you want the responsibility of the Lost placed on their shoulders- give them the Bible. with love and compassion- witness of Jesus- and the Word.