John 5:1-15 New King James Version
A Man Healed at the Pool of Bethesda
5 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, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,[a] having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.[b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’”12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
It's easy to question what can this man teach us ? His story sounds very unfamiliar to many of us, however, there are three things with which everyone of us may identify ourselves alongside him. I would like to draw three C from this text, which would summarise the condition of this man.
1. CHANCE
Let's suppose that once in a year water is stirred. But he could not reach for 38 years. It equals 38 years in total. It's like being found in the same class again and over again for 38 year.
Many of us may have been in the same place as this man was, of course, not with the same sickness but same as the one who lost multiple chances in attempting to achieve something meaningful. Today you may be standing in a place, that appears to you as a place where you have no more chances left. But remember if you are able to read this article God is offering you another chance. God is the God is opportunity. He gave that chance to apostle Peter. Peter had lost all his chances to get restored. And he knew this well and was guilty about it and must have though that now when I have denied my Master at His face now I have run out of all my chances to get back. Ironically, God always works quite differently than the way man understands.
Jesus offered him another chance. And Peter took it with joy and never let down his master again. Today He is calling you to offer one more chance.
Jesus offered him another chance. And Peter took it with joy and never let down his master again. Today He is calling you to offer one more chance.
2. CAPACITY
When Jesus came near to him, he said to Jesus, "I have no man to help me get in the pool" We see another problem with this man that he had no capacity to help himself and that's why he was looking at people to help him but sadly enough there was no one to help. And this again becomes quite identical with many of our situation. First we have no capacity of our own to help ourselves. Capacity includes; human strength, money, resources etc. You have squandered everything in your life and may have come to a place where you are empty handed. And not only you are empty handed with no capacity but the second problem with this man was he had no one to help him as he himself tells to Jesus Christ. You sometimes see your friends that they are being helped by their parents and relatives but in your life there is nobody to help you no one to care for you.
Just think with me for a while....this is the only or few of those miracle where Jesus Himself went to the sick without their request to heal him. Very much un-probable. So it's all about His strength not your's.
3. COMPETITION
Remember this man was not alone but he was among those who were persistently competing with him to get ahead of him. And sadly enough, for all these days his competitors were always ahead of him to reach out the pond as it was being stirred up by an angel.
We also sometimes find our selves among such competitors. Where we see people around us growing on their spiritual/physically, they are ahead of us in every front. Many of us feel a sense discouragement and think for all these years we had been praying and praying but Lord has not answered me yet. This is a very very difficult this to experience as ye followers of Jesus Christ. But let's not forget that this man had an end to his misery only when he encountered Jesus in his life. Today, Jesus is at your door of your heart, knocking, would you let Him in. So that you may experience the liberation as this man did.
Many of us may find ourselves in the same place as the man at pool. You may have lost all the Chances; you may have no Capacity to help yourselves; you may be amidst stark Competition. Certain things in your life only Jesus can set free. That guy might have thought who are you telling me that I can free you. I have seen many like you no one could do. He is not here to tell you 39th time you may do. But He says I can free you RIGHT NOW.
Do you wanna be free?
GOD BLESS YOU !!!
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