Introduction
Life is filled with moments of waiting—times when our prayers seem unanswered, our progress feels stalled, and hope begins to waver. Delays, setbacks, interruptions, postponements, and stops can shake our faith, leading to discouragement and spiritual fatigue. These moments make us question: Where is God in this? Why hasn’t He moved yet? But what if these seasons of delay are not wasted? What if they are moments when God is actively working behind the scenes, shaping us and preparing us for something greater?
In John 5:1-18, we encounter a man who experienced 38 years of waiting—38 years of hoping for a breakthrough that never came by his own efforts. This story reveals profound truths about God's purpose in delays and how Jesus meets us in our seasons of hopelessness, transforming breakdowns into breakthroughs.
Looking at the story
1. Waiting for a Spiritual Breakthrough Sometimes Takes a Long Time (John 5:1-2)
The man at the pool of Bethesda had been waiting for nearly four decades. His story reminds us that God's timeline often differs from ours. Waiting tests our faith and reshapes our priorities. What seems like a delay is often God's way of preparing us for His perfect timing.
2. Jesus Sees and Initiates to Come to Us During Our Feelings of Helplessness and Hopelessness (John 5:6)
Jesus noticed the man lying by the pool and took the first step toward him. In our seasons of waiting, we can be assured that God sees us. He doesn’t wait for us to reach Him—He comes to us, offering grace and hope when we feel forgotten.
3. Delays Can Reveal Our Human Strategies and Plans to Receive a Breakthrough (John 5:7)
The man believed his only hope was the stirring of the water and someone to help him. Likewise, we often rely on human strategies or specific circumstances for our breakthrough. These delays reveal where we have placed our trust and invite us to shift our focus back to God.
4. Jesus Is the Key to Our Breakthroughs, Not Our Strategies (John 5:8-9a)
Jesus simply told the man to get up, take his mat, and walk. There were no rituals or complex steps involved. This shows that breakthroughs come not by our efforts but by His authority and power.
5. We Don’t See God’s Work in Our Midst Because We Are Too Focused on “Musts” and “Oughts” (John 5:9b-13)
After being healed, the man faced criticism for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. The religious leaders were more concerned with rules than rejoicing in God’s work. How often do we miss God’s presence and miracles because we’re caught up in legalism or rigid expectations?
6. Jesus Desires a Changed Life for Us, Not Just an Experience of the Miraculous (John 5:14-18)
Later, Jesus found the man and reminded him to live a life free from sin. Breakthroughs are not just about solving problems but about transforming lives. Jesus doesn’t just want to change our circumstances; He wants to change us.
Conclusion
When delays in life feel overwhelming, remember that God is working in and through them. Ask yourself, How do I now see and feel about the delays in my breakthrough? More importantly, are you ready to let Jesus first break through the walls in your heart? True breakthrough happens when we shift our focus from the problem to the Savior. "To experience breakthrough, JESUS desires to first break through you."
Discussion Questions
- How has a season of waiting revealed areas in your life where you rely on human strategies instead of God?
- How can you become more attentive to Jesus' presence during times of delay?
- What might it look like for Jesus to "break through you" before your circumstances change?