Chapter 5 contains the miracle of the healing of the
man at the pool of Bethesda. We again see the
Saviour’s compassion in these verses. We also see the
grace of God at work, as Jesus healed this man who had
suffered for 38 years with an infirmity. “Bethesda”
means “house of grace,” and this is what it became for
that man. What does “grace” mean? It means unmerited
favor; kindness to those who are undeserving. This man
was no more deserving than the others, but God chose
him. This is a beautiful picture of salvation. How it
should humble us to know that we are also chosen by
Him; not because of our own merit (Ephesians 1:4), but
because He loved us. We should also note that Christ
became the Lord, as well as the Saviour, of the man He
healed. Christ is Lord because His Word is obeyed. The
healed man obeyed Christ in every respect.

Christ not only wants to save us; He also
wants to direct our lives. Too many Christians
recognize Christ as Saviour, but not as Lord of their
lives. The confession of our lips is so important
after we have been saved (Romans 10:9). We must
surrender our lives completely to Him and make Him
Lord of all, in order for us to have a successful and
happy Christian life.

Chapter 6 records the feeding of the 5,000.
This miracle illustrates the cooperation between man
and God in bringing salvation to lost people. Christ
took the bread, blessed it, and gave it to His
disciples. They, in turn, gave it to the crowd. While
salvation is all of the Lord and all of grace, He
still uses human instruments to take the Gospel
message to men. Romans 10:14 asks the question,
“…and how shall they hear without a preacher?” In a
very real sense, Christ has no hands but our hands to
feed the Bread of Life to hungry souls. If we will
give Him our all, as the little lad did, He will take
it, break it, bless it, and use it to bless others.

Verses 32-40 tell us that Jesus is the Bread
of Life. In order to receive this Bread, we must come
and take it. It is free, not only to the Jew, but to
the entire world, and it gives eternal life.

Note especially John 6:37, “All that the
Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh
to me I will in no wise cast out.” God promises that
He will not cast out anyone who comes to Him in
repentance and faith. Titus 1:2 tells us that God
cannot lie. These are great promises of a sinless God,
who gave His sinless Son, to save a sinful world. Have
you come to partake of the Bread of Life? Have you
drunk from the fountain that shall never run dry? If
not, then today is the day you should come to Him. God
promises that you will not be turned away.