Pastor Josh shares from John chapter 5, where Jesus heals a man who had been paralysed for 38 years. Pastor Josh begins by reminding us that God’s Word is always good, but at the start of a new year it often lands differently because our hearts are already open to change, growth, and hope.
He takes time to explain that the Bible is not a collection of made-up stories, but a historically reliable record of real events involving real people. He explains how the Pool of Bethesda, once doubted by critics, was later discovered exactly where Scripture described it. This reinforces the idea that we can read the Bible with confidence, trusting both its spiritual truth and historical accuracy.
Focusing on the paralysed man, Pastor Josh highlights that Jesus notices and seeks out one individual in the middle of a vast crowd. Even among thousands of sick and suffering people, Jesus sees, knows, and approaches this one man personally. Importantly, the man wasn’t looking for Jesus, but Jesus was looking for him.
He explores Jesus’ surprising question to the man: “Do you want to be healed?” Rather than answering yes, the man explains why he can’t reach the pool. Pastor Josh highlights how the man was so focused on what he believed would save him that he missed the Saviour standing right in front of him. His hope, dreams, and identity had become wrapped up in one thing, the pool, when all he truly needed was Jesus.
Just as Jesus told the man to get up and walk, we are called to turn away from misplaced hopes and move forward in faith. With Jesus’ power enabling us, we can leave behind what once held us and step into true freedom—because in every season, all we need is Jesus.