1 Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie--the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 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?"
In our verses for today, Jesus heads up to Jerusalem for the most celebrated of Jewish feasts – the Passover. It would be an opportunity for good as people in great number from all parts of the country would be present – no doubt their focus already in a frame of mind to worship God. Certainly a mind that is inclined towards devotion to God is ripe for further revelations of divine truth. Interestingly, Jesus heads for the “hospital” of the day which was appropriately placed near the Sheep Gate. A pool for healing called Bethesda, meaning “the house of mercy”, was surrounded by the lame and the blind and the paralyzed. Spiritually speaking, apart from Jesus we are all in this disabled state – approaching Him through the “sheep gate” for mercy. I am reminded of the prophet Isaiah’s words:
6 We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)
King David tells us in Psalm 14 and Paul echoes the same sentiment in Romans 3 the following truth:
1 The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. Psalms 14:1-3 (NIV)
Mercifully and gratefully Jesus came to seek and save the sick and wounded – physically but more importantly spiritually. It is Christ’s delight to help the helpless. When asked by the Pharisees and teachers of the day why He associated with the likes of sinners, Jesus’ reply was as follows:
30 But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law who belonged to their sect complained to his disciples, "Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and 'sinners'?" 31 Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 32 I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Luke 5:29-32 (NIV)
Our verse for today tells us that throngs of the disabled, the helpless and the weak surrounded this pool of Bethesda – all hoping for healing when placed in the stirred waters. What a sight that must have been as nothing can stir a heart towards empathy like coming face to face with those who are least able to help themselves. It is here that our Jesus approaches and begins an encounter with a man who had been in a condition of disadvantage for thirty-eight years. Jesus approaches with a simple question – "Do you want to get well?"
“Christ is tenderly inquisitive concerning the desires of those who are in affliction, to teach them to value the mercy, and to excite in them desires after it. In spiritual cases, people are not willing to be cured of their sins. If people were willing to be made well, the work would be half done, for Christ is willing to heal, if we are only willing to be healed.” Matthew Henry
"We Christians too often substitute prayer for playing the game. Prayer is good; but when used as a substitute for obedience, it is nothing but a blatant hypocrisy, a despicable Pharisaism...
To your knees, man! and to your Bible! Decide at once! Don't hedge! Time flies! Cease your insults to God, quit consulting flesh and blood. Stop your lame, lying, and cowardly excuses. Enlist!” C. T. Studd
It is easier to see our need when we are physically without strength being in a state of disadvantage yet oftentimes we house maladies we need to be awakened to which keep us in this same state of disadvantage. As believers we are to seek Jesus’ healing mercy and grace as well. There are many things that perhaps catch us unaware yet the Spirit constantly seeks to draw our attention to - things such as unforgiveness, selfishness, greed, pride, anger, guilt, insecurities, cold hearts, etc., etc. And Jesus asks of us the same question: "Do you want to get well?" He offers us the opportunity for wellness in lieu of wallowing, for standing firm in place of falling. As believers we have been given freedom from these forms of bondage. Scripture tells us we are to “renounce secret and shameful ways” and “with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord’s glory” (2 Corinthians 4:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18).
1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Gal 5:1 (NIV)