In Jerusalem there was a pool called Bethesda with five porches. Multitudes of sick in these porches waited for the water to move. At various times the water was agitated. It was commonly believed this was supernatural and that whoever got into the water first after the water was troubled would be healed of whatever sickness he had. In the mad dash to get into the water first when the waters were troubled, many of the weak were trampled on and couldn’t get near the pool.
Jesus came to this pool while walking alone in meditation and prayer. While He wanted to heal all the sick there, it was the Sabbath, and the Jewish leaders would be so agitated it would cut short His ministry. But He noticed one case of a lame man who had been waiting 38 long years in hopes of being healed. His hope and strength were about gone.
His condition, largely caused by sinful mistakes he had made, was looked upon as God’s judgment. He felt all alone, without friends, and rejected by God.
While lying on his bed, occasionally watching the pool, a tender, compassionate face bent over asking, “Would you like to be made well?’ Hope sprang up but then discouragement settled in, and he replied, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the waters are troubled. Someone else always gets in ahead of me.”
Jesus replied, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” The man trusted that word and willed to obey Christ. New life surged through his legs. Doubting, he would have turned away from his chance of healing.
Put your will on God’s side; act according to His word, and receive healing strength to resist evil that so easily tempts us to do wrong.
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