Rev. Jacob B. Sumbayak’s sermon based on John 5:1-9 highlights the story of a paralyzed man who had been lying by the Bethesda pool for 38 years, waiting for the waters to stir. The passage speaks to the man’s unwavering hope and expectation that God would perform a miracle at the pool.

According to the sermon, whenever an angel came to stir the waters of the Bethesda pool, the sick would rush to be healed. However, the paralyzed man could only watch as others experienced healing. Nevertheless, the paralyzed man continued to wait, holding onto hope and anticipating God’s intervention.

Then, one day, the Lord Jesus was moved with compassion and approached the Bethesda pool. In a display of God’s care for those who put their hope in Him, Jesus specifically approached the paralyzed man. The story goes on to reveal how Jesus healed the man, demonstrating God’s power and love.

The sermon likely emphasizes the themes of God’s timing, compassion, and the importance of hope in difficult circumstances. It highlights that even in prolonged waiting, God sees and cares for those who place their trust in Him. The story serves as an encouragement to individuals who may feel discouraged or forgotten, reminding them that God’s intervention can come at any moment and that hope in Him is never in vain.