Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. John 5:2
"Do you want to be made well"? this is the question that Jesus ask the man that laid by the side of this pool. Legend had it that an Angel would come down into the pool and "stir up the water". The first person into the pool after the stirring of the water, "was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted".
This poor man's infirmity had lasted a total of 38 years. He had experienced prolonged disappointment at not being healed, while repeately looking unto God in expectation. Yet healing did finally come to the man, and it may have been largely because of the length of this man' suffering that Jesus, in compassion, chose to help him. We must never give up hope that the time for God to move directly on our behalf may come soon.
Jesus often healed as a response to the faith of individuals. Here, however, He required no faith at all; the man was made whole merely at the Word of Jesus. Even today people may be healed according to God's purpose even though they do not demonstrate faith in Christ. The Bible teaches that there are three contacts for healing faith: (1) the faith of the one being healed (Mat. 9:27-29); (2) the faith of others on behalf of the afflicted (Mat. 8:5-10; cf. 17:15-20; Jas. 5:14-16); and (3) the faith of one who is anointed to heal (1 Cor. 12:9). The man Jesus spoke to did not see Jesus as the healer but rather was focused on the healing pools (v.13). When Jesus questioned if he wanted to be made well, instead of replying "YES"!, he provided an explanation as in a complaint that he had no one to put him in the pool when the water was stirred by the Angel.
Know this, no matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, God can minister to your deepest needs. Some people have been stuck in their negative circumstances for so long that they have given up hope that things can change. Your faith and hope is your exodus out of any situation. Although one may feel that their circumstance doesn't stand a chance, that one must not give up on hope. When your way seems dark and bleak, when life seems to have you bound by chains that are invisible to the naked eye. When you feel as if all doors are closed and you are locked away behind them, with no escape.
Don't just sit there wallowing in mud or stand there grieving it, press your way. To make a way of escape, you will sometimes have to press. Make a road out for yourself. Do not idle. No matter how trapped you feel in your infirmities, the water is being stirred, step out in faith.
Ordinarily, faith in Jesus was essential to miraculous healing; however, in contrast to the healing of the royal official's son, (John 4:46), Jesus chose to heal this man who did not even know who he was. Jesus, ask the man, as he lay there on his mat, "Do you want to be made well"? In response, the man told Jesus that every time there was a healing opportunity he never had anyone to help him into the pool when the Angel stirred the waters. The man's situation was hopeless, and he had no one to offer him aid. Jesus told the man, to rise up and pick up his mat and walk.
Do not allow a problem or any hardship cause you to lose hope. God may have special work for you to do despite your condition, or even because of it. Trust God, He will never leave you nor forsake you. Trust Him, where you can't trace Him!
This is your exodus, press your way.
Blessings,
Elder Barbara
FLB|HSB|TEBC|LAB
