Notice something very interesting in the beginning of John chapter five. At the end of John 4 we have the comment the healing of the official’s son is the second sign in Cana/Capernaum. The wine at the wedding and the official’s son. Then John begins Chapt 5 with
After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
John 5:1
Hang on a minute he has just come back from a feast of the Jews in Jerusalem. You mean He has gone up there again? NO. This is proof that John arranges his material with a theme in mind. He is less concerned with the time frame and more concerned with you getting his point. And he has told you what his intention is. Could he be any clearer?
Now John uses another miracle story to emphasize his purpose but this one includes some new elements. Study them. Notice how he uses the miracle stories to show us Who this Jesus is. He keeps stacking these miracle stories in an effort to convince you of whom we are dealing. I trust you are getting the point.
Bible Study Tip: Use different versions in your study, don’t just stick to your favourite version. When you don’t have the original languages at your disposal use the multiple versions.
Don’t be shocked by the differences between them and assume one is right and the others wrong. Believe that each is bringing out a shade of meaning different from the others.
He was told by a Munich school teacher that he would never amount to anything. In fact he was later expelled from school for being mentally slow.
Albert Einstein:
You’ll never do anything creative, innovative or world changing if you fear criticism. Pioneers are easy targets for arrows!
Rick Warren