"Transformed" - July 28, 2024 - Assistant Pastor Anthony Roberts

Abundant Life Church

Today, we delved into John 5:1-17, a passage that vividly illustrates the transformative power of Jesus Christ. The story centers around a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, lying by the pool of Bethesda, hoping for a miracle. This pool was believed to have healing properties when its waters were stirred, but whether this was a divine act or mere superstition, the point remains that people placed their hope in it. Jesus, however, showed that true transformation comes from Him alone. When He asked the man if he wanted to be healed, the man responded with excuses, focusing on his inability to reach the pool. Jesus simply commanded him to rise, take up his bed, and walk, and the man was instantly healed.
This miracle underscores the futility of placing our hope in worldly solutions and the necessity of an encounter with Jesus for true change. The Pharisees, however, were more concerned with their legalistic interpretations of the Sabbath than the miraculous healing that had just occurred. They missed the point that Jesus, equating Himself with God, was demonstrating that divine work transcends human rules. Jesus' admonition to the healed man to "sin no more" highlights that spiritual wholeness is even more critical than physical healing.
Transformation through Jesus is not just about physical miracles but about a complete change in our spiritual state. We are called to examine our lives and seek this transformation, putting our faith in Jesus rather than the temporary solutions the world offers.