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I. THE POOL.

1. In Jerusalem, typical of the Church into which you have been introduced by baptism.

2. The pool itself is emblematical of that "Fountain opened in the house of David," etc. It is full, not of water, but of Spirit, and His baptism is life to the soul and healing and power to its injured and enfeebled faculties.

3. The five porches set forth the five springs in the Rock of Ages, hands, feet, side, each yielding its separate stream of blessing.

II. THOSE WHO LAY ROUND THE POOL.

1. Representatives of the unconverted citizens of the Spiritual Jerusalem.

(1) The blind, unable to discern the right hand from the left, nay, incapable of seeing any hand to the soul at all.

(2) The halt, divested of faculty for every motion.

(3) The withered, incompetent "as paralytics are" to move the limbs or organs of the soul. Why, if the powers of the congregation were suddenly let loose, the results would arouse the whole world: there would not be a house in the district, however poor and sinful; however rich and worldly, that would not be beset, as it were, by a host of inspired apostles. Attempt to move men in their ordinary state to Sunday-school teaching, missionary exertion, or hearty contribution towards religious objects: some will say, We cannot see the matter as you do; others will say, We approve of the object, but cannot move in it; we are bound by such special bonds that we cannot stir in the case, or if we went and followed your advice, we should be helpless as the dead. What is this but being blind, halt, withered?

2. Take the case of an actual believer. He may feel himself providentially impeded; his way may be hidden, his powers confined, fast bound with bonds invisible. The thought of what a neighbour, or a newspaper, or an enemy, or a dignitary may say, ties him as within gates of brass. He would speak, but invisible ligatures fasten his tongue. He will say, "For that I should have a higher position, a larger fortune, more vigorous powers." Well, this may be true; yet an energetic grasp of the Hand that moves the universe might remove all these restrictions.

III. THE TROUBLING OF THE POOL.

1. The day: the Sabbath. The pool is always troubled, but the Lord's day is the day for finding it out. Abolish Sunday and not only would the pool he neglected, but it would become dry.

2. The place: God's House, not exclusively of course, for it is everywhere accessible But hers are unusual facilities.

3. The troublers: God's ministers as His agents.

(1)  By prayer.

(2)  By preaching.

(3)  By sacraments.

(T. D. Gregg, D. D.)

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KJV: After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

WEB: After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.