Day 15-Wednesday, February 28th
John 5:1-18
Jesus Only

Leaving Cana, Jesus returns to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish feasts. Entering through the sheep gate, He passes a pool called Bethesda where many sick and disabled people gathered because they believed that the pool had magic healing qualities. It was believed that, on occasion, an angel would come and stir the waters of the pool, and the first person who as able to enter the pool after this stirring would be healed.
Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed—and they waited for the moving of the waters. From time to time an angel of the Lord would come down and stir up the waters. The first one into the pool after each such disturbance would be cured of whatever disease they had. John 5:3-4 NIV

It is worth noting that the gospel writer John chooses not to offer commentary on this type of superstitious belief of those around the pool but rather notes that Jesus simply ignores this belief and addresses the issue directly.

Jesus, seeing a man who had laid by this pool for 38 years, doesn’t offer to help the man get closer to the pool or to wait with him for the stirring of the water. Instead, Jesus asks him a critical question…

One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well? John 5:5-6 NIV

What an interesting question for Jesus to ask. Isn’t it obvious? This man had laid by this pool for 38 years rather than living any kind of life with his family and friends. Of course, he wants to be healed!! It is worth remembering that Jesus created this man and knew his heart. (The Bible is full of such amazing subtle details!)

This is a question that should speak to our hearts and lives today.

Do we want to get well? Do we want to change? Do we want to experience healing? Do we want to forgive and be forgiven? Do we want to move forward with our lives?

“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:7-9a NIV

Jesus completely ignores the response of the man about having no one to help him get to the pool, and Jesus heals him by His word instantly. When the man traded the doubt of superstition for the power of the Savior’s word, he was fully healed and could leave his old life behind.

Questions to consider:
In what ways are you “waiting by the pool of Bethesda” for something to change in your life? How long have you been “stuck” at this place in your life? For what do you need to ask God to intercede today?
What sources (self-help books, horoscopes, psychics, crystals, philosophy) are you turning to rather than trusting Jesus and asking for Him to intercede?
Take a few minutes to write out this prayer in your journal.

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