John 5:5 – 6 (NLT)

5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?”

• Like several other chapters in John, we have here a message based on a miracle. Question by Jesus: “Would you like to get well?”

Jesus demonstrates grace! Grace is kindness to those who are undeserving.

Jesus saw a multitude of sick people—but He chose only one man and healed him! This man was no more deserving than the others, but God chose him. This is a beautiful picture of salvation, and how it ought to humble us to know that we are chosen “in Him” and not because of our own merits but because of His grace (Eph. 1:4).

Ephesians 1:4-5 (NLT)

4 Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes.

5 God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.

What Jesus says in John 5:21 applies here: He quickens (gives life to) whom He will.

John 5:21 (NLT)

21 For just as the Father gives life to those he raises from the dead, so the Son gives life to anyone he wants.

We cannot explain the grace of God (Rom. 9:14-16), but if it were not for God’s grace, nobody would ever be saved (Rom. 11:32-36).

Romans 9:14-16 (NLT)

14 Are we saying, then, that God was unfair? Of course not!

15 For God said to Moses,

“I will show mercy to anyone I choose,

and I will show compassion to anyone I choose.”

16 So it is God who decides to show mercy. We can neither choose it nor work for it.