What does it take to be well? Is it physical, mental, spiritual, or financial? You can visit a professional in that field, someone you trust. Or, we have heard of a remedy, those good old fashion “wives’ tale”. You look for what could work, the easy way out, one that requires no commitment.
John 5: 1-5 ESV
1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3 In these lay a multitude of invalids–blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.
Take a closer look at the numbering, I know that I do not leave the numbering in my Blog’s, but I needed to do so this time. I did not leave out verse four, yet the ESV translation does. So, what does verse four tell us? We will look at the King James Version to read find that text.
John 1: 4 KJV
4 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.
In keeping with the thought of, “Basic Bible Thoughts”, let us move forward and understand how this passage can influence our daily walk with Jesus.
What do we know about this man at the pool? We are told that he is an invalid, unable to care for himself. We know that he was alone, “no one will help me in the pool”. We know that he has no where to go since he has laid there for thirty-eight years. We have some understanding as to why he has been there. He was told or heard from someone that miracles happen at the pool when the water is troubled.
John 5: 6-7 ESV
When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”
Here is the scene as John sees it; we have this nicely decorated pool area that has been taken over by many who are blind, lame, and paralyzed. They stay there day after day waiting for the legend of the Angel to stir the water and then they must be the first in the pool. John paints for us a scene of helpless, lonely men with one plan.
Here is the scene as Jesus sees it; a man is lying, and it appears he has given up all hope of ever being healed. Jesus looks into his eyes, eyes he has seen so many times before, they seem to sink deep into his head. The man is just looking off in the distance with no real focus. Jesus says to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
Here is the scene as the man sees it; what day is it? Why don’t I just die, nothing is ever going to change, and I have no one. My family and friends have left me. Wait, someone new is walking through the pool area? And he is headed straight for me, is he here to help? He is asked a question and wonders why he needs to explain. “I have been told that these waters become troubled, if I can get in the pool first then I can be healed. But I have no one!”
John 5: 8-9 ESV
Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
This man after 38 years of being alone, helpless, and without hope, listens to a man he has never seen. Nerves begin to fire that he has never felt before, so he begins to move. Before long he is up and carrying his bed.
Do you see yourself in the life of this man; alone, helpless, and without hope? Maybe you have held onto a plan for years, or maybe you are trying everything out there; philosophies, self-help books, the latest miracle drug, or maybe just something to make you forget the pain. Days have moved into weeks, into months, and into years. You find yourself just staring off into the sky wondering if there is anyone who can help.
I have news for you today, Jesus is the answer, you have heard this before. He is our hope, and He is our Salvation. Here is the question that you must ask yourself, “Do You Want to Be Healed?”
It will require a commitment from you. You must pick up your bed of loneliness and hopelessness and start walking! Leave the pain behind. I understand all of this is easy to say but so extremely hard to accomplish. You are not alone, He will find someone to walk alongside of you, trust Him!
Basic Bible Thoughts 