Reading: John 4-5
And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk(John 5:5-8).
As we read the Gospel of John, we can’t help but be amazed at the personal nature of Jesus’ love and compassion. Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life (5:12). Although He regularly taught (preached) to crowds, Jesus ministered to individuals. No one was beneath His notice. Nicodemus, the Samaritan woman at the well, the nobleman at Capernaum – Jesus responded personally to each individual need. This same scenario is played out once again as Jesus enters Jerusalem.
Near the sheep gate, where lambs were bought for sacrifice, was located a pool, which the Jews called Bethesda. This pool was known for its healing properties. It was believed that the first to enter the pool after an angel stirred up the water would be cured (5:4). This pool was surrounded by five porches (covered patios). In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water (5:3). Into the midst of these stricken souls walked the Son of God, but His presence was unobserved. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. It was to this helpless, hopeless man that Jesus was drawn. Moved with compassion, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
This man had been lying there, unaided, for many years. Whatever hope he had once had of healing had long since faded away. He honestly believed that no one cared. Jesus looked beyond his brokenness to the soul that lay inside and saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. Healed through the saving grace of God, the man immediately did as Jesus bade him (5:9). A short while later, Jesus left him with a parting word: Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee (5:14).
Like this man, we have lived spiritually helpless, surrounded by crowds of desperate sinners. How grateful we should be that Jesus, with love and compassion, has come to each of us, asking: Wilt thou be made whole? Jesus looks beyond our brokenness because He desires that all recognize Him as Savior and Lord. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10). How tragic it would have been for the infirm man if he had answered his Savior by saying, “Go away—I do not need help.” Yet all too often today, this is the response that He receives. Held captive by worldly pursuits, we refuse to admit we are broken. Without that understanding, we cannot be made whole.
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief(I Tim. 1:15).
Thought For Today:It is not paranoia to believe that the world does not care about our problems, but to believe that we have been abandoned is to ignore God’s unwavering presence.
Cross Reference:For Luke 18:20: See Ex. 20:12-16; Deut. 5:16-20.
Word Studies:4:6 sixth hour = noon by Jewish time and 6 pm by Roman time; 5:21 quickeneth them = gives them life.
Pray For Staff:Tifany Parisi • Government Officials: Gov. Brian Kemp (GA) • Country: Germany (80,996,685) Central Europe • Major Language: German • Religious Freedom • 34% Protestant; 34% Roman Catholic; 3.7% Muslim; 28.3% Unaffiliated/Other • Prayer Suggestion: Ask for understandng of the Word of God as you read each day (Ps. 119:34).