Episode 19: The God Who Heals

Summary

The Life of Jesus – Episode 19: The God Who Heals

Podcast: Fox Audio Network
Date: December 21, 2025

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Episode Overview

In this immersive episode, "The God Who Heals," the Life of Jesus podcast brings to life key moments from the Book of John, focusing on Jesus' spiritual teachings and healing miracles. Through dramatic scripture readings and actor portrayals, the episode explores Jesus' encounters with Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman, the healing at the pool of Bethesda, and the feeding of the five thousand. Central themes are spiritual rebirth, living water, faith, healing, and the revelation of Jesus as divine.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Jesus and Nicodemus: The Necessity of Spiritual Rebirth

Timestamps: 01:04 – 04:37

• Nicodemus, a Pharisee, seeks Jesus at night for answers, acknowledging Jesus' divine authority because of the miracles he performs.
• Jesus emphasizes rebirth: "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (Jesus, 01:22)
• He elaborates on the difference between flesh and spirit and introduces the concept of being "born of water and the Spirit."
• Key teaching: Entrance to the Kingdom of God requires spiritual transformation, not merely physical birth or knowledge of the law.
• Famous declaration:

  "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life."
  (Jesus, 03:19)

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2. John the Baptist’s Testimony: Jesus’ Divine Primacy

Timestamps: 05:11 – 06:51

• John the Baptist clarifies his role as a forerunner, not the Messiah, and expresses joy at Jesus’ rising influence.

  “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John the Baptist, 05:36)

• Stresses that belief in the Son is the path to eternal life.

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3. Jesus and the Samaritan Woman: Living Water and True Worship

Timestamps: 06:51 – 12:10

• Jesus meets a Samaritan woman at Jacob's well, breaking social and cultural barriers.
• Offers her "living water," symbolizing eternal life through belief in him.

  "Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst."
  (Jesus, 08:17)

• Reveals his prophetic knowledge of her life, astonishing her and leading her to recognize him as the Messiah.
• Teaches that genuine worship transcends location and ethnicity:

  "The hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth."
  (Jesus, 09:35)

• The woman's testimony leads many Samaritans to faith.

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4. Miracles of Healing: The Official’s Son and the Lame Man at Bethesda

The Official’s Son

Timestamps: 12:13 – 13:32

• A royal official begs Jesus to heal his dying son. Jesus assures, “Go; your son will live,” and the son recovers at that very hour. (Jesus, 13:10)

The Pool of Bethesda

Timestamps: 13:32 – 15:29

• Jesus heals a man ill for 38 years, telling him to “Rise, take up your pallet and walk.” (Jesus, 14:39)
• The healing, done on the Sabbath, provokes controversy among religious authorities.

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5. Jesus’ Divine Authority and Relationship with the Father

Timestamps: 15:44 – 20:59

• Jesus explains his oneness with the Father, authority to grant life, and role as judge.
• Powerful affirmation:

  “The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing...For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will.”
  (Jesus, 16:01)

• Addresses the crowd’s reliance on scripture for salvation but urges them to see that these scriptures point to him:

  “Search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness to me. Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life.”
  (Jesus, 18:39)

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6. The Feeding of the Five Thousand and Jesus Walks on Water

Timestamps: 20:59 – 23:33

• Jesus feeds five thousand with five loaves and two fish, showing divine provision.
• After the crowd tries to make him king, he withdraws to pray alone.
• Later, Jesus walks on water to join his disciples, reassuring them:

  “It is I; do not be afraid.” (Jesus, 23:20)

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7. Spiritual Bread: Eternal Satisfaction

Timestamps: 24:14 – 25:34

• The crowd pursues Jesus for more signs, referencing manna in the wilderness.
• Jesus redirects them:

  “Do not labor for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you.”
  (Jesus, 24:34)

• Declares himself the true bread from heaven.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Spiritual Rebirth:
  “Unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (Jesus, 01:22)

• On Jesus’ Mission:
  “For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through him.” (Jesus, 03:25)

• On Humility and Divine Purpose:
  “He must increase, but I must decrease.” (John the Baptist, 05:36)

• Revelation to the Samaritan Woman:
  “I who speak to you am he.” (Jesus, 10:03)

• On True Worship:
  “The true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth.” (Jesus, 09:35)

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Host’s Reflection: "Do You Want to Be Healed?"

Timestamps: 25:43 – 25:46

• The episode closes with a reflection paralleling the man at the pool and the listener’s own struggles with despair:

  “The man’s answer was filled with hopelessness and self pity...Jesus stands before us asking, ‘Do you want to be healed?’” (Ainsley Earhardt, 25:46)

• Call to faith and hope: Rise above despair with the help of Jesus.

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Structuring Christianity’s Core: Powerful Episodes for Reflection

Each segment dramatizes foundational Christian beliefs about faith, healing, and the identity of Jesus. Listeners are drawn into the spiritual journey from doubt and neediness (Nicodemus, the sick man, the hungry crowds) toward acknowledgment, worship, and trust in Jesus as the source of eternal life.

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For further immersion, listeners are encouraged to continue with the series as it traces Jesus' life and mission, offering both spiritual encouragement and captivating narrative drama.

Transcript

[Ainsley Earhart]

The Life of Jesus podcast is sponsored by Riverbend Ranch. Hello everyone, this is Ainsley Earhart. Thank you for joining me for this episode of the 52 episode podcast series, the Life of Jesus. This podcast begins with the third chapter of the Gospel According to John. John infused his record of Jesus's life and ministry with deep insight into the heart of Jesus. His account focuses on Jesus message more so than his miracles. John had a deep appreciation of Jesus divinity and he wanted his writings to convey that message clearly. Stacy Keach's stunning portrayal of John, together with the deep faith and love that undergirds Neil McDonough's depiction of Jesus, will truly take you back to the days when Jesus walked the earth. Join me in listening as John tells of his life as Jesus. Beloved disciple, You're listening to the life of Jesus now.

[Narrator]

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night. Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God. For no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.

[Jesus]

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

[Narrator]

How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?

[Jesus]

Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, you must be born anew. The wind blows where it wills and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. How can this be? Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you do not understand this. Truly, truly, I say to you, we speak of what we know and bear witness to what we have seen, but you do not receive our testimony. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how can you believe if I tell you heavenly things? No one has ascended into heaven but he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God sent the Son into the world, not to condemn the world, but that the world might be saved. Through him. He who believes in him is not condemned. He who does not believe is condemned already. Because he has not believed. In the name of the only Son of God. And this is the judgment that the light has come into the world. And men loved darkness rather than light. Because their deeds were evil. For everyone who does evil hates the light and does not come to the light. Lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does what is true to comes to the light. That it may be clearly seen that his deeds have been wrought in God.

[Narrator]

After this, Jesus and his disciples went into the land of Judea. There he remained with them and baptized. John also was baptizing in Enon, near Salem. Because there was much water there. And people came and were baptized. For John had not yet been put in prison. Now a discussion arose between John's disciples and a Jew over purifying. They came to John and said to him.

[Jesus]

Rabbi, he who was with you beyond the Jordan.

[Narrator]

To whom you bore witness. Here he is baptizing, and all are going to him.

[John the Baptist]

No one can receive anything except what is given him from heaven. You yourselves bear me witness. That I said, I am not the Christ, but I have been sent before him. He who has the bride is the bridegroom. The friend of the bridegroom who stands and hears him. Rejoices greatly at the bridegroom's voice. Therefore this joy of mine is now full. He must increase, but I must decrease. He who comes from above is above all. He who is of the earth belongs to the earth, and of the earth he speaks. He who comes from heaven is above all. He bears witness to what he has seen and heard. Yet no one receives his testimony. He who receives his testimony sets his seal to this that God is true. For he whom God has sent utters the words of God. For it is not by measure that he gives the Spirit. The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand. He who believes in the Son has eternal life. He who does not obey the Son shall not see life. But the wrath of God rests upon him.

[Narrator]

Now. When the Lord knew that the Pharisees had heard. That Jesus was making and baptizing more disciples than John. Although Jesus himself did not baptize, but only his disciples. Jesus left John and departed again to Galilee. He had to pass through Samaria. So he came to a city of Samaria called Sychar. Near the field that Jacob gave to his son Joseph. Jacob's well was there. And so Jesus, wearied as he was with his journey. Sat down beside the well. It Was about the sixth hour. There came a woman of Samaria to draw water. Jesus said to her, give me a drink. For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food. The Samaritan woman said to him, how.

[Samaritan Woman]

Is it that you, a Jew, ask a drink of me, a woman of Samaria?

[Narrator]

For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans. Jesus answered her, if you knew the.

[Jesus]

Gift of God and who it is that is saying to you, give me a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.

[Samaritan Woman]

Sir, you have nothing to draw with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our Father Jacob, who gave us the well and drank from it himself and his sons and his cattle?

[Jesus]

Everyone who drinks of this water will thirst again. But whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. The water that I shall give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

[Samaritan Woman]

Sir, give me this water that I may not thirst nor come here to draw.

[Jesus]

Go call your husband and come here.

[Samaritan Woman]

I have no husband.

[Jesus]

You are right in saying I have no husband. For you have had five husbands, and he whom you now have is not your husband. This you said.

[Samaritan Woman]

Truly, sir, I perceive that you are a prophet. Our fathers worshipped on this mountain. And you say that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship.

[Jesus]

Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem will you worship the Father. You worship what you do not know. We worship what we know. For salvation is from the Jews. But the hour is coming, and now is when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth. For such the Father seeks to worship him. God is spirit. And those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.

[Samaritan Woman]

I know that Messiah is coming. He who is called Christ. When he comes, he will show us all things.

[Jesus]

I who speak to you.

[Narrator]

Just then his disciples came. They marveled that he was talking with a woman. But none said, what do you wish? Or, why are you talking with her? So the woman left her water jar and went away into the city and said to the people, come see a.

[Samaritan Woman]

Man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?

[Narrator]

They went out of the city and were coming to him. Meanwhile, the disciples besought him.

[Jesus]

Rabbi, eat. I have food to eat of which you do not know.

[Narrator]

So the disciples said to one another.

[Jesus]

Has anyone brought him food? My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work. Do you not say there Are yet four months. Then comes the harvest. I tell you, lift up your eyes and see how the fields are already white for harvest. He who reaps, receives wages and gathers fruit for eternal life. So that sower and reaper may rejoice together. For here the saying holds true. One sows and another reaps. I sent you to reap that for which you did not labor. Others have labored, and you have entered into their labor.

[Narrator]

Many Samaritans from that city believed in him because of the woman's testimony.

[Samaritan Woman]

He told me all that I ever did.

[Narrator]

So when the Samaritans came to him, they asked him to stay with them. And he stayed there two days. And many more believed because of his word. They said to the woman, it is.

[Samaritan Woman]

No longer because of your words that we believe. For we have heard for ourselves.

[Jesus]

And we know that this is indeed.

[John the Baptist]

The Savior of the world.

[Narrator]

After the two days, he departed to Galilee. For Jesus himself testified that a prophet has no honor in his own country. So when he came to Galilee, the Galileans welcomed him. Having seen all that he had done in Jerusalem at the feast. For they too had gone to the feast. So he came again to Cana in Galilee. Where he had made the water wine. At Capernaum there was an official whose son was. When he heard that Jesus had come from Judea to Galilee. He went and begged him to come down and heal his son. For he was at the point of death. Jesus therefore said to him.

[Jesus]

Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.

[Narrator]

The official said to him, sir, come down before my child dies. Go.

[Jesus]

Your son will live.

[Narrator]

The man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him and went his way. As he was going down, his servants met him and told him that his son was living. So he asked them the hour when he began to mend.

[John the Baptist]

Yesterday at the seventh hour, the fever left him.

[Narrator]

The Father knew that was the hour when Jesus had said to him. Your son will live. And he himself believed in all his household. This was now the second sign that Jesus did. When he had come from Judea to Galilee. After this, there was a feast of the Jews. And Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem, by the sheep gate A. There was a pool in Hebrew called Beth Zatha. Which has five porticos. In these lay a multitude of invalids. Blind, lame, paralyzed. One man was there who had been ill for 38 years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time. He said to him, do you want.

[Jesus]

To be healed, sir? I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled. And while I am going another steps down before me. Rise, take up your pallet and walk.

[Narrator]

And at once the man was healed. And he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man.

[Jesus]

Who was cured, it is the Sabbath. It is not lawful for you to carry your pallet.

[Narrator]

But he answered them, the man who.

[Jesus]

Healed me said to me, take up your pallet and walk. Who is the man who said to you, take up your pallet and walk Now?

[Narrator]

The man who had been healed did not know who it was. For Jesus had withdrawn as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple.

[Jesus]

See, you are well. Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.

[Narrator]

The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him. And this was why the Jews persecuted Jesus, because he did this on the Sabbath. But Jesus answered them, my Father is.

[Jesus]

Working still, and I am working.

[Narrator]

This was why the Jews sought all the more to kill him. Because he not only broke the Sabbath, but also called God his Father, making himself equal with God.

[Jesus]

Jesus said to them, truly, truly, I say to you. The Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever he does that the Son does likewise. For the Father loves the Son and shows him all that He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will he show him, that you may marvel. For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so so also the Son gives life to whom he will. The Father judges no one, but has given all judgment to the Son, that all may honor the Son even as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent him. Truly, truly, I say to you. He who hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life. Truly, truly, I say to you. The hour is coming. And now is when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God. And those who hear will live. For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself, and has given him authority to execute judgment because he is the Son of man. Do not marvel at this. For the hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear his voice and come forth. Those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment. I can do nothing on my own authority, as I Hear, I judge, and my judgment is just. Because I seek not my own will, but the will of him. Him who sent me. If I bear witness to myself, my testimony is not true. There is another who bears witness to me. And I know that the testimony which he bears to me is true. You sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth. Not that the testimony which I receive is from man. But I say this that you may be saved. He was a burning and shining lamp. And you were willing to rejoice for a while in his light. But the testimony which I have is greater than that of John. For the works which the Father has granted me to accomplish. These very works which, which I am doing, bear me witness that the Father has sent me. And the Father who sent me has himself borne witness to me. His voice you have never heard, his form you have never seen. And you do not have his word abiding in you, for you do not believe him whom he has sent you. Search the script scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life. And it is they that bear witness to me. Yet you refuse to come to me that you may have life. I do not receive glory from men, but I know that you have not the love of God within you. I have come in my flesh Father's name, and you do not receive me. If another comes in his own name, him you will receive. How can you believe who receive glory from one another and do not seek the glory that comes from the only God? Do not think that I shall accuse you to the Father. It is more Moses who accuses you on whom you set your hope. If you believed Moses, you would believe me, for he wrote of me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe my words?

[Narrator]

After this? Jesus went to the other side of the Sea of Galilee, which is the Sea of Tiberias, And a multitude followed him because they saw the signs which he did on those who were diseased. Jesus went up on the mountain and there sat down with his disciples. Now the Passover, the feast of the Jews, was at hand. Lifting up his eyes then, and seeing that a multitude was coming to him, Jesus said to Philip, how are we.

[Jesus]

To buy bread so that these people may eat this?

[Narrator]

He said to test him, for he himself knew what he would do.

[Jesus]

200 denarii would not buy enough bread.

[Narrator]

For each of them to get a little. One of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, said to him, there's a lad.

[Jesus]

Here who has five barley loaves and two fish. But what are they among so many. Make the people sit down.

[Narrator]

Now. There was much grass in the place. So the men sat down and numbered about 5,000. Jesus then took the loaves. And when he had given thanks. He distributed them to those who were seated. So also the fish, as much as they wanted. And when they had eaten their fill. He told his disciples.

[Jesus]

Gather up the fragments left over, that nothing may be lost.

[Narrator]

So they gathered them up. And filled 12 baskets with fragments. From the five barley loaves left by those who had eaten. When the people saw the sign which he had done.

[Jesus]

They said, this is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.

[Narrator]

Perceiving then that they were about to come. And take him by force to make him king. Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself. When evening came, his disciples went down to the sea. Got into a boat. And started across the sea to Capernaum. It was now dark, and Jesus had not yet come to them. The sea rose because a strong wind was. When they had rowed about three or four miles. They saw Jesus walking on the sea. And drawing near to the boat. They were frightened.

[Jesus]

It is I do not be afraid.

[Narrator]

Then they were glad to take him into the boat. And immediately the boat was at the land to which they were going.

[Jesus]

Going.

[Narrator]

On. The next day, the people who remained on the other side of the sea. Saw that there had been only one boat there. And that Jesus had not entered the boat with his disciples. But that his disciples had gone away alone. However, boats from Tiberias came near the place where they ate the bread. After the Lord had given thanks. So when the people saw that Jesus was not there nor his disciples. They themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea.

[Jesus]

They said to him, rabbi, when did you come here? Truly, truly, I say to you. You seek me not because you saw signs. But because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not labor for the food which perishes. But for the food which endures to eternal life. Which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him has God the Father set his seal. What must we do to be doing the works of God?

[Narrator]

God?

[Jesus]

This is the work of God that you believe in him whom he has sent. Then what sign do you do that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, as it is written. He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Truly, truly, I say to you. It was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven? My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world. Lord, give us this bread always.

[Ainsley Earhart]

I'm Emily Compagno. I hope this podcast deepens your faith and leaves you with hope and joy. Thank you for listening. We'll be back with with more after.

[Samaritan Woman]

This.

[Ainsley Earhart]

Jesus asked a man by the pool of Bethesda who had been ill for nearly four decades, do you want to be healed? The question seems almost rhetorical. The man's answer was filled with hopelessness and self pity. While his physical malady was obvious, the deeper issue was hidden to the naked eye. This man had despaired of his situation and ever changing. He had given up and disappeared into self pity. I wonder how many of us have reached this point in our lives. How many of us have faced such long standing trials that we have despaired of any positive ending. Just as he did with the man by the pool, Jesus stands before us asking do you want to be healed? Do you want to rise above your life situation? Jesus can and will work within our hearts to replace self pity with passion and despair, with vibrant hope. We only need to listen to Jesus and do as he told the man by the pool, rise up and walk. Move on with Jesus and He will give you all you need. Father, I so often grow weary and fall into depression and despair. Help me to look toward you during those times and find my healing as I continue my journey with you. Thank you for listening to episode 19 of the 52 episode podcast series the Life of Jesus. Make sure to spread the word. Listen ad free with a Fox News Podcast plus subscription on Apple Podcasts, Amazon prime members can listen ad free on the Amazon Music app.