After these things, there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now in Jerusalem by the sheep gate, there is a pool, which is called in Hebrew, “Bethesda”, having five porches. John 5:1-2 WEB
In the opening lines of chapter five of his gospel, John writes of Jesus attending a feast of the Jews in Jerusalem. While in the city, Jesus encounters a disabled man lying near the pool of Bethesda. The deep pool of spring water called Bethesda in Jerusalem attracted the sick and lame for the promise of healing. When Jesus saw the man, a paralytic for thirty-eight years, he asked in John 5:6, “Do you want to be made well? WEB”
The man’s answer indicates the reason the blind, lame, and paralyzed assembled at Bethesda. The popular tradition of the time held that Bethesda had healing power. When the water suddenly stirred in the pool of Bethesda, the first person to enter the pool received healing of their infirmity. Answering Jesus, the man says in John 5:7, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, another steps down before me. WEB”
Sin No More
Immediately, Jesus healed the man, saying in John 5:8, “Arise, take up your mat, and walk. WEB” Then, the Lord withdrew from the area. When the Jewish religious leaders encountered the man carrying his mat, they accused the man of breaking the law for carrying his mat on the Sabbath. In response, the man shared the story of his healing saying that the man who healed him told him to take up his mat and walk. Upon learning of the healing on the Sabbath, the religious leaders sought to find out who healed the man as they felt that too was in violation of the law prohibiting work on the Sabbath.
Interestingly, Jesus later encounters the man he healed at Bethesda. The Lord found him at the temple. John 5:14 records Jesus’ words to the man as he said, “Behold, you are made well. Sin no more, so that nothing worse happens to you. WEB” It is sin that separates us from the goodness of God’s grace. And it is God’s grace that overcomes our sins. For this reason, Jesus called each of us as sinners to repentance and obedience to the word and will of God.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the encouragement of your holy word. Thank you for the truth recorded in the gospel message of Jesus Christ. Guide me to accomplish your will for my life. Help me to live by every word that is yours. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: Always Pray
