Waiting for the Water to Move

Scripture: John 5:4 (KJV)
“For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

Note: Many modern translations omit this verse or place it in brackets because it does not appear in the earliest manuscripts. However, its content reflects what was commonly believed at the time, and both Calvin and Ryle address its significance.

This verse captures the belief that stirred the crowd at Bethesda: at certain times, an angel would come down and stir the water, and the first one in would be healed. Whether this was truly miraculous or merely a tradition is debated, but the point remains—there was hope, even if it was tinged with uncertainty and competition.

J.C. Ryle does not insist on the historical certainty of the angelic stirring but emphasizes that this belief, true or not, shows how desperate people are for healing and hope. “It is enough to know,” Ryle says, “that there was a firm belief among the sick that healing was possible.” The hope may have been misdirected, but it was real. And it speaks volumes about the human heart—longing for relief, willing to wait indefinitely, clinging to any chance for restoration.

John Calvin, while cautious about the authenticity of the verse, points to the way God used even these signs and traditions to draw attention to human need and divine power. He writes, “Though the truth of this stirring of the water is uncertain, yet the effect was to stir up in the people some sense of their misery, and the hope of divine help.”

This verse paints a picture of limited mercy—only one could be healed, only if they were fast enough. But into that setting walks Jesus, the One who brings unlimited mercy and healing not dependent on our strength, speed, or timing. Where the pool brought anxiety and competition, Jesus brings peace and sufficiency.

Reflection Questions:

Where in your life are you waiting for something to “stir” before trusting God to act?
Have you ever felt like hope was only for others more worthy, quicker, or stronger than you?
How does Jesus contrast with the uncertain mercy depicted at this pool?

Prayer:

Lord, thank You that we no longer have to wait for troubled waters to find healing. In You, grace is abundant and always near. Help us to turn from uncertain hopes and cling instead to the sure promises of Christ. Teach us that Your mercy does not depend on our ability or effort, but on Your love and power. In Your name, Amen.

A Multitude of the Miserable

Scripture: John 5:3 (ESV)
“In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.”

Bethesda wasn’t a beautiful sight. It was a gathering place of pain, filled with those whom society often passed by. The blind, the lame, the paralyzed—all lying there, waiting and hoping. This verse sets a heavy scene: human suffering concentrated in one place, desperate for mercy.

J.C. Ryle reflects on the spiritual significance of this scene, noting that it offers “a vivid picture of the condition of mankind.” Spiritually speaking, we are all born blind to truth, lame in holiness, and paralyzed in will. We are unable to help ourselves, waiting for grace we cannot manufacture. Ryle writes, “It is a graphic emblem of the world: a world full of disease, misery, and helplessness, without hope except in the mercy of God.”

John Calvin focuses on the multitude and the depth of their affliction. He emphasizes that these weren’t just people with minor ailments—they were people whose lives were wholly marked by disability and despair. Calvin reminds us that this verse teaches us to have compassion on the suffering, and to see in their condition a reflection of our own spiritual need. He writes, “The misery of men ought to excite us to prayer, that God may stretch out his hand to those who are wretched.”

This is the world Jesus walks into—not sanitized, not strong, not put-together, but broken, crowded, and desperate. And He does not turn away. This is the kind of place Jesus moves toward.

Reflection Questions:

How does this image of the multitude at Bethesda shape your understanding of human need?
Do you tend to turn away from brokenness, or see it as a place where Jesus is at work?
Where do you see spiritual blindness, lameness, or helplessness in yourself or others?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, You are not repelled by our weakness—you draw near to it. Thank You for entering places of brokenness with compassion and power. Help us to see ourselves in the multitude—not strong or self-sufficient, but in need of mercy. And help us also to love those who suffer, reflecting Your heart for the wounded and weary. In Your name, Amen.

By the Sheep Gate: A Place of Need

Scripture: John 5:2 (ESV)
“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades.”

John draws our attention to a specific location in Jerusalem—a pool near the Sheep Gate, called Bethesda. The detail may seem incidental, but both Calvin and Ryle remind us that nothing in Scripture is without purpose. This place—Bethesda, meaning “House of Mercy”—will become the setting for a striking display of Christ’s compassion and power.

John Calvin points out the value of John’s specificity. He writes, “When the Evangelist enters into a more minute narrative, it is not without good reason, for we must be assured that what is related is true and certain.” The detail about the pool, the gate, and the colonnades gives historical grounding. It assures us that the Gospel is not myth, but reality—rooted in time and space, in places real people knew and visited.

J.C. Ryle draws our attention to the symbolic significance of the place itself. Bethesda was a place of sickness and suffering—a place where the broken gathered, hoping for healing. Ryle writes, “The place where Christ works this miracle is full of sorrow. It is a picture of this sin-stricken world.” He goes on to say that just as Bethesda was a place of affliction, so our world is full of pain—and yet it is into this brokenness that Jesus steps.

The mention of “five roofed colonnades” also points to the great number of people this place could hold. Many came here seeking relief. And here, in the midst of human desperation, Jesus will meet one man in sovereign grace.

Reflection Questions:

How does it encourage you to know that Jesus entered real places filled with real suffering?
Do you see the places of pain around you as opportunities for Christ to work?
How might “Bethesda”—a place of need—be present in your own life or community?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for stepping into the places where people are hurting. You did not avoid suffering—you entered it, and You redeemed it. Help us to see Your presence even in our Bethesda moments, when all feels broken. Teach us to trust that You know every detail, and that You work with purpose in the midst of pain. In Your name, Amen.

A Divine Appointment in Jerusalem

Scripture: John 5:1 (ESV)
“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.”

With this verse, the scene shifts once again—Jesus goes up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts. Though John does not specify which feast, the detail serves a larger purpose: it marks a new phase in Jesus’ ministry, one that moves from the countryside into the heart of religious life in Israel.

John Calvin sees in this movement the deliberate obedience of Christ. Jesus does not go up to Jerusalem for leisure or spectacle, but to fulfill the law. “Though Christ was free from the yoke of the law,” Calvin writes, “He voluntarily subjected Himself to it, that He might not be a stumbling-block to others.” Even in matters like attending feasts, Jesus honors the ceremonial obligations of the people, walking in humility and righteousness.

J.C. Ryle emphasizes the significance of Jesus going up to Jerusalem. He reminds us that wherever Jesus goes, He goes intentionally. “Every journey of our Lord was full of meaning,” Ryle writes. Jesus is not wandering—He is pursuing souls. This feast, and this trip, will become the backdrop for one of the most profound acts of healing in the Gospel—and one of the most confrontational moments with the religious leaders.

There is also something quietly instructive here: even Jesus attended the gathered worship of His people. He moved among the crowds. He placed Himself where hurting people were. And He never lost sight of His mission—to seek and save the lost.

Reflection Questions:

Do you recognize that God often works through ordinary rhythms—like a gathering, a feast, a routine trip?
How might Christ’s intentional obedience to the law challenge or inspire your own spiritual disciplines?
Are you aware of how God may use “ordinary” places in your life as divine appointments?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your obedience—even in the details. You walked faithfully, fulfilling the law, submitting to every good command. Teach us to follow Your example with humility and purpose. And as we go about our own daily routines, help us to see them as opportunities to encounter You and to serve others. May we never overlook the places where You are present and working. In Your name, Amen.

Signs That Point to Salvation

Scripture: John 4:54 (ESV)
“This was now the second sign that Jesus did when he had come from Judea to Galilee.”

John brings the account to a close with a simple but meaningful note: This was the second sign. He’s not merely keeping track—he’s pointing us to something deeper. In John’s Gospel, “signs” are never just miracles. They are markers. Signals. Glimpses into the true identity of Jesus as the Son of God and the Savior of the world.

The first sign in Cana turned water into wine, showing Jesus’ power over creation and hinting at the joyful abundance of the new covenant. This second sign—the healing of a dying boy with just a word—shows Jesus’ authority over life and death itself. Both signs reveal His glory. Both call us to believe.

But there’s something even more significant here. This second sign doesn’t happen in a festive setting like a wedding. It happens in the shadow of sickness, in the valley of desperation. And yet, out of that dark moment comes life, faith, and household transformation. This reminds us that Jesus meets us not only in celebration but in crisis. Not only to display power, but to bring salvation.

The sign points beyond the miracle to the Messiah.

J.C. Ryle writes, “Let us never rest in signs and wonders. Let them drive us to Christ. Let us see in every miracle a window into His divine character.” And Calvin adds, “These signs are not ends in themselves, but guides leading us to the One who holds eternal life.”

This final verse reminds us what the Gospel of John is all about: belief. Not in generic power, but in Jesus Himself. The signs are not meant to dazzle—they’re meant to awaken, to draw us to saving faith.

Reflection Questions:

What has God used in your life to draw your attention to Jesus as Savior?
Have you ever been tempted to focus more on what God does than on who He is?
How can you use the “signs” in your own life—answered prayers, transformed moments—as testimony to point others to Christ?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for the signs that point us to who You truly are. Help us never to stop at the miracle, but to see You more clearly through it. May every answered prayer, every act of grace, every glimpse of Your power, lead us into deeper worship and faith. Use us, like John, to tell the story—not just of what You’ve done, but of who You are. The Savior of the world. In Your name, Amen.

Why Couldn’t the Grave Hold Him?

A Message for the Anxious, the Searching, and the Hope-Starved

Chris Cousine

Apr 20, 2025

Scripture: Revelation 1:17–18

Thanks for popping by, I pray this Easter has been a good one. With that, I’d like to have a chat about a little thing that happened a couple thousand years ago.

Let’s be honest: death makes everyone uncomfortable. It’s the unspoken backdrop to all our efforts at wellness, productivity, and distraction. Even in Alberta—where we pride ourselves on grit and resilience—the shadow of death never really goes away. You feel it in the silence after a funeral. In the empty chair at Easter dinner. In the panic of a bad diagnosis. In the quiet ache of getting older.

And here’s the hard truth: you will die. Whether you’re rich or poor, fit or sick, religious or not—death bats 1.000.

That’s what makes the message of Easter so utterly disruptive. Because it doesn’t just say that Jesus came back from the dead. It says something far more shocking: death couldn’t hold Him.

Why not?

In Revelation 1, the risen Christ appears to the Apostle John—an old man exiled for his faith—and says, “Fear not… I died, and behold, I am alive forevermore, and I hold the keys of Death and Hades.”

So why couldn’t the grave hold Him? Let’s walk through it—briefly—and ask what that means for you.

1. Because of Who He Is — The First and the Last

Jesus didn’t just defeat death as a man—He defeated it because He’s God in the flesh.

You might have heard people say Jesus was a great moral teacher. A prophet. A revolutionary. But Jesus Himself said things no mere man could say. “Before Abraham was, I AM.” “I and the Father are one.” “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” The religious elite didn’t misunderstand Him—they tried to kill Him because they knew exactly what He was claiming: divinity.

And then He died. Crucified by the very people He came to save.

But here’s the twist: death didn’t get the final word. Because Jesus wasn’t just another victim of human cruelty. He was—and is—the eternal Son of God, the Alpha and the Omega. And when God takes on flesh, dies, and walks out of the grave three days later, it’s not just a miracle—it’s a declaration.

That means you are not the centre of the universe, and neither am I. Our lives aren’t random. Our decisions matter. And whatever else you believe, you’re going to have to deal with the reality that 2,000 years ago, something happened that broke history in two.

2. Because of What He Did — He Died in Obedience

Jesus didn’t just defeat death—He dismantled the reason death exists in the first place.

According to Scripture, death is the result of sin. Humanity rebelled against the Creator, and the penalty was separation—physical, spiritual, and eternal. And deep down, we know it’s true. We’re not just people who make mistakes. We’re people who break things—promises, relationships, ourselves.

Jesus, the only sinless One, chose to die. Not as a martyr, not as a symbol, but as a substitute. He absorbed the wrath we deserved. He stood in our place. And because He was innocent, death had no legal claim on Him.

The tomb didn’t give Him up. It couldn’t hold Him.

If you’ve ever felt too far gone, too stained, too damaged—this is good news. Jesus didn’t come for people who have it all together. He came for people who know they don’t. And that includes you.

3. Because of What He Has Now — Authority Over Death

Jesus now says, “I hold the keys of Death and Hades.”

Let that sink in.

He doesn’t just survive death—He owns it. He governs it. He decides who lives, who dies, who rises again.

In Alberta, we like to think we’re in control. We plan, hustle, and build as if we can outmaneuvre fate. But Jesus says: You don’t have the keys. I do.

That’s not a threat. It’s an invitation.

Because the One who holds the keys isn’t your enemy—He’s the same One who died to save you.

So… What About You?

Let me ask you something. Who holds the keys to your death?

If your answer is “I don’t know,” then I want you to hear this clearly:

Jesus offers you what no government, no wellness plan, no relationship, and no ideology ever can: eternal life. Not a life free of pain—but a life free of the fear of death. A life anchored in the One who rose again and lives forever.

He’s calling you today. Not to clean yourself up first. Not to figure it all out. But simply to come.

Come with your doubts. Come with your wounds. Come with your fears. And find that the tomb is empty, the King is alive, and the door to life is wide open.

So why couldn’t the grave hold Him?

Because He’s the eternal Son of God.
Because His death wasn’t defeat—it was victory.
Because He now rules over death itself.

And here’s the Easter hope:

If death couldn’t hold Him—it won’t hold you either… if you belong to Him.

So come. Before it’s too late.

Faith That Grows

Scripture: John 4:53 (ESV)
“The father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him, ‘Your son will live.’ And he himself believed, and all his household.”

This verse is the culmination of a journey—not just the boy’s healing, but the father’s faith. When the official hears that his son was healed at the exact moment Jesus had spoken, something remarkable happens: he believes—not just in the miracle, but in the One who gave the word. And not only that—his entire household believes with him.

This isn’t the man’s first encounter with faith. He had believed enough to come to Jesus. He had believed enough to leave Cana on the strength of Jesus’ word. But now, having seen the faithfulness of that word confirmed, his belief is deepened. It matures. It settles into full conviction.

Faith, after all, is not static. It grows. It is refined through trial, stretched in waiting, and strengthened in confirmation. This man’s journey shows us how faith often moves in stages: from desperation, to trust, to assurance, and finally to joyful proclamation. And what’s the result? Others believe too.

This is the first record in John’s Gospel of an entire household coming to faith in Christ. The father’s experience becomes the seed of testimony that leads others—his wife, his children, his servants—to salvation. The miracle may have healed one boy’s body, but it brought life to many souls.

John Calvin observes, “Though he had some faith before, now his faith takes firmer root, and he becomes a means of bringing others to Christ.” And J.C. Ryle writes, “The faith of one, when truly kindled, often becomes the blessing of many.”

This verse reminds us that personal faith is never meant to remain private. When we truly encounter Christ—when we see His power, trust His word, and rest in His timing—it should overflow. Into our homes. Into our friendships. Into the lives of those who see and hear what God has done.

Reflection Questions:

How has your faith grown over time, especially through testing or waiting?
Has your experience of God’s faithfulness led others around you to believe?
What opportunities do you have to share what Christ has done in your life?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for growing our faith—not all at once, but step by step. Thank You for confirming Your word and deepening our trust. Let our faith never remain silent or self-contained. Use our testimonies to bring others to You. May our homes and households be filled with belief because of Your grace and truth. In Your name, Amen.

The Exact Hour

Scripture: John 4:52 (ESV)
“So he asked them the hour when he began to get better, and they said to him, ‘Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.’”

The official’s faith, already alive and growing, is now sharpened into wonder. He doesn’t simply rejoice at the good news—he asks when. Why? Because he’s looking to connect the dots. He remembers the exact moment Jesus spoke: “Go; your son will live.” And now he wants to know—did the healing happen then?

The servants’ answer confirms it: “Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.” At precisely the same time Jesus gave His word, the boy was healed. Not gradually, not with delay, but immediately. The fever didn’t begin to fade—it left. The healing wasn’t a coincidence. It was a divine act.

This moment matters. It shows that the official’s faith was not built on vague hope or general inspiration—it was tethered to the clear, observable faithfulness of Christ. His inquiry about timing wasn’t doubt—it was devotion. He longed to see how Jesus’ word corresponded exactly to reality. And when he saw it, his faith was not only confirmed—it deepened.

God often works this way. He doesn’t owe us confirmations, but He graciously gives them. Sometimes it’s a providential detail, a perfect alignment, a word in season, or a prayer answered at just the right moment. These are not small things—they are reminders that God is not only powerful, but precise.

J.C. Ryle notes: “The very hour was remembered. So does God often show us that His timing is not accidental but intentional.” And Calvin comments, “God permits such precise confirmations to strengthen those who already believe, that they might be further established in trust.”

This verse reminds us that Jesus is not a vague comforter—He is a present, precise, promise-keeping Lord. He speaks, and reality shifts at His command.

Reflection Questions:

Have you ever experienced a moment when God’s timing confirmed His hand in your life?
How does remembering the details of answered prayers strengthen your faith?
Are you looking for God’s fingerprints in the timing of events around you?

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for Your perfect timing. Teach us to see and celebrate the precision of Your providence. Help us to remember not just what You do, but when You do it—so that our faith may be encouraged and our hearts stirred to deeper trust. Let us never miss the small confirmations that reveal Your sovereign hand. In Your name, Amen.

What Temptation Reveals About You (And God)

A Message to the Struggling, the Wandering, and the Worn Out

Scripture: James 1:12–14

Welcome, and thank you for popping by, whether you’re a regular, a guest, or someone who’s just not sure what to believe anymore.

If you’re like many Albertans today, you probably feel like you’re under pressure. The cost of living is up. Families are falling apart. Relationships are strained. Maybe you’re burnt out, stuck in habits you can’t break, or just tired of pretending life is fine when it’s not.

Today’s blog is about temptation, and not just the obvious kind, like cheating or stealing, but that quiet voice that whispers, “You deserve this,” even when “this” is something that could wreck your life.

James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote to people who were tired too. People under real pressure. People tempted to bail on faith, on morality, and on hope. And he begins with this promise:

“Blessed is the one who remains steadfast under trial…”

Blessed? While under trial?

That’s not how we talk, is it? We say someone is blessed if they got the job, bought the house, won the lottery. But James flips that script. He says the one who keeps going, the one who doesn’t give in, is truly blessed. Not because the pain goes away, but because something deeper is happening: they’re holding onto something that lasts.

What’s the reward? James says it’s the crown of life, not a gold trophy, but eternal life. But that gift isn’t for just anyone. It’s for those who love God. And here’s where we hit the hard question:

What do you love most?

When life squeezes you, when temptation knocks, what spills out? Some love comfort. Others love control. Some chase approval, others escape in alcohol, porn, gambling, or success. Some, when cornered by the consequences of their actions, do what humanity has done since the beginning: blame someone else. A spouse. A boss. A system. Even God.

James warns us: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God.’” That’s not just a throwaway line. It’s a rebuke of an ancient instinct, the one that started in Eden when Adam pointed at Eve, and then at God, saying, “The woman you gave me…”

But James won’t let us play that game. He says, point-blank: God tempts no one. The problem isn’t God. The problem is us. Our temptations come from our own desires—our own hearts.

Now, maybe you’re thinking, “That’s exactly why I avoid religion. I don’t need another guy with a microphone telling me I’m the problem.”

But hang on.

You already know something’s off. That’s why you’re still searching. That’s why self-help didn’t fix it. That’s why chasing money, sex, or even religion hasn’t left you satisfied. James isn’t shaming you, he’s diagnosing the disease. The truth is, every one of us is born spiritually broken. We don’t just make mistakes. We’re in rebellion.

And yet… God has not left us in our mess. James hints at it. Other parts of Scripture shout it: Christ died for sinners. That includes me. That includes you.

God tests us, yes, to reveal who we really are. But temptation? That’s when your own heart tries to lure you into destruction. And here’s the miracle: Jesus faced temptation too, but unlike us, He never gave in. He didn’t just show us how to win, He won for us.

So what now?

If you’re tired of running, if you’ve been blaming God or others, if you’ve hit bottom in your habits, your marriage, your bank account, your soul, then know this:

God is not your enemy. He’s not waiting to shame you. He’s waiting to forgive you.

All He asks is that you stop hiding. That you stop justifying. That you call out, “God, I’m the one who needs saving.”

And you know what? He will.

He promised. And unlike us, God keeps His promises.

The Confirmation Comes

Scripture: John 4:51 (ESV)
“As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was recovering.”

Faith walked before sight.

The official had already believed Jesus’ word and begun his journey home. He didn’t demand confirmation in Cana. He didn’t delay in uncertainty. He obeyed in faith. And now, as he’s on his way back to Capernaum, the confirmation comes—not from Jesus, but from his own household. His servants run to meet him with astonishing news: his son is recovering.

Notice the timing. The man was already on his way. The healing had already happened. The miracle wasn’t dependent on the man’s continued pleading or presence—Jesus had spoken, and it was done. Now, what was unseen becomes seen. What was believed by faith is now affirmed by fact.

This is often how God works. He calls us to walk in trust before we see the outcome. The confirmation doesn’t always come right away—but when it does, it affirms the beauty and reliability of His word. It strengthens our faith—not because it replaces the need for trust, but because it deepens it.

We can imagine the man’s relief, joy, and quiet confidence as the servants approach. His steps quicken, not with anxiety, but anticipation. His faith had taken root the moment Jesus spoke. Now, that faith is being rewarded with visible fruit.

John Calvin points out that this meeting on the road is part of God’s providence—not just to restore the boy, but to confirm and enlarge the father’s faith. And J.C. Ryle remarks, “Those who trust Christ fully often find their confidence unexpectedly confirmed.”

The lesson here is simple but profound: God honors faith that walks before sight. And when His promises are fulfilled in visible ways, they serve not to replace faith—but to confirm and multiply it.

Reflection Questions:

Can you recall a time when you trusted God and later saw confirmation that strengthened your faith?
How might you encourage someone else who is still waiting for visible confirmation of God’s promises?
What does this passage teach you about trusting in God’s timing and provision?

Prayer:

Faithful Lord, thank You for confirming what You promise. Teach us to walk in obedience even when we cannot yet see the outcome. Give us patient hearts that rest in Your word, and rejoicing hearts when we see Your hand. May our faith be strengthened both by Your promises and by Your providence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.