Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament gospel narrative of the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ which was written and recorded by the apostle John. More specifically today’s passage is found in the first thirty verses of the fifth chapter. “After this I there was. Feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having Vive porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, he that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesu findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole” (John 5:1-15). “And therefore did the Jews persecute Jesus, and sought to slay him, because he had done these things on the sabbath day. But Jesus answered them, My Father worketh hitherto, and I work. Therefore the Jews sought the more to kill him, because he not only had broken the sabbath, but said also that God was his Father, making himself equal with God. Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, there also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth t he Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth: and he will shew him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. For as the Father raiseth up the dead, and quickeneth them; even so the Son quickeneth whom he will. For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all men should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son honoureth not the Father which hath sent him. Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live. For as the Father. Hath life in himself so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself; and hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation. I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge, and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:16-30).

When you come to the fifth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John you will encounter the account of Jesus in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. To record within this gospel this would be the second time Jesus would journey up to Jerusalem and would do so at the time of one of the Jewish feasts. I am absolutely convinced there is a great need to recognize the Jewish nature surrounding the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John for you cannot read this gospel without seeing a heavy emphasis placed on the city of Jerusalem, a heavy emphasis placed on the Jewish feasts which were celebrated by the Jews themselves and even Jesus’ interactions with the Jews in both Judaea and Galilee. It is in the opening verse of this fifth chapter you will find that after healing the nobleman’s son in Cana of Galilee Jesus Himself would journey up to the city of Jerusalem at the time of one of the feasts of the Jews. Within this particular chapter we aren’t given the actual feast that was being celebrated by the Jews, however, we might be able to conclude that the feast which Jesus Himself went up to at this time was one of the pilgrimage feasts which were present in the midst of the Jewish nation. If you ready and study the Old Testament you will find that there were three times during the year when the children of Israel were to appear before the Lord as they would celebrate the pilgrimage feasts ordained and appointed by the living God as He would deliver them unto Moses atop the mountain of God in the midst of the wilderness. What we find here in this particular passage of Scripture is another feast of the Jews being celebrated during the time and days of the Lord Jesus and His going up to Jerusalem at the time of the feast.

I am absolutely convinced that if you want to truly understand the movement and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ within this gospel there is a great need to understand that His movement and ministry was directly linked and connected to the Jewish feasts. More often than not within this gospel you will find Jesus’ movement and ministry in the midst of the city of Jerusalem directly linked to the Jewish feasts which were celebrated by the people of God in the midst of the land. With this being said there were certain and specific times when the Lord Jesus would go up to Jerusalem at the appointed time of the feast which was celebrated by the people of God in the midst of the land. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding Jesus’ movement among the Jews as one who would go up to the city of Jerusalem at the time of the feasts which were celebrated by the Jews themselves. In the fifth chapter of this New Testament gospel narrative you will find the apostle John writing and recording how there was a feast of the Jews and how Jesus went up to Jerusalem. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something incredibly unique and powerful when you read the words presented in this passage of Scripture and how Jesus would deliberately and intentionally journey up to the city of Jerusalem at the time of one of the appointed feasts. This would now be the second time within the gospel when Jesus would indeed journey up to the city of Jerusalem at the time of a Jewish feast for in the second chapter of this gospel we find and read how Jesus would go up to Jerusalem at the time of the feast of the Passover.

Here in this passage of Scripture we find the apostle John writing how there was a feast of the Jews and how Jesus would Himself go up to Jerusalem. Scripture does not reveal which of the Jewish feasts was being celebrated at this time and there are certain times within this gospel when the apostle John would indeed mention a specific Jewish feast celebrated by the people of God and how Jesus would Himself journey up unto the city of Jerusalem at the time of the feast. In the opening verse of this chapter we find the apostle John writing how there was a feast of the Jews which was being celebrated at the appointed time and how Jesus Himself would journey up to the city of Jerusalem. More than likely the city of Jerusalem would have been hustling and bustling with a tremendous crowd and mob of people who had journeyed unto the city from throughout Judaea, from throughout Galilee and perhaps even from the surrounding regions round about Judaea and Galilee. We know within the New Testament book of Acts that when the feast of Pentecost took place there were Jews from the surrounding regions round about Judaea and Galilee and there weren’t merely Jews from within the the region of Judaea and Galilee. This is something we must needs understand when seeking to understand that which is found in this passage—and not only within this passage of Scripture but also within and throughout the four gospels for at the time of the Jewish feasts the city of Jerusalem would undoubtedly be the central hub for the movement of the Jewish people themselves who would journey unto the city of Jerusalem that they might celebrate and partake of the Passover.

In the opening verse of the fifth chapter we find that there was a feast of the Jews and how Jesus went up to Jerusalem. It would be there in the midst of the city of Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool which was called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda which had five porches. Within the first two verses of this particular chapter we not only find the time for this event within the ministry of the Lord Jesus but we also find the setting for this particular encounter Jesus would have with one who was present in the midst of the city. It would be in the first verse we find the Lord Jesus going up to the city of Jerusalem at the time of one of the feast of the Jews. There in the midst of Jerusalem there was by the sheep market a porch which was called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda which had five porches. Within these five porches there lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, and the like. Before moving on any further within this particular passage it is necessary for us to recognize and understand that the setting for the miracle which would take place in this particular chapter would be that of the company and fellowship of impotent folk. As you read the words which are present in this passage of Scripture you will find the apostle John writing how in the city of Jerusalem by the sheep market there would be a pool which would have five porches round about it. Within each of these five porches would be a company of impotent folk and those who had a tremendous need within their physical bodies. The apostle John writes how within these porches there was a great multitude of impotent folk of blind, of halt and of withered who were all there for one purpose and one reason.

We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and wonderful truth surrounding this pool which was present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. Scripture does not reveal how many people were present in each of these five porches nor even how many total individuals were present in the midst of the five pools combined. What we find within this passage is the apostle John writing how within these five porches there was a great host of impotent folk who had a need within their physical bodies. What’s more is that not only do we find a great number of impotent folk living and dwelling within these five porches but we find them each looking for and hoping for something. The apostle John goes on to write how all those who lived, dwelt and abode within these five porches were waiting and hoping for the moving of the water. If you continue reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you will find that all those impotent folk who were present in the midst of this pool with its five porches were those who were waiting for something—and not only waiting for something but waiting for something very specific. Oh this is something which must needs be recognized and understood for when reading the words presented in this passage of Scripture you can and will encounter the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding this great host of impotent folk who not only had a condition within their physical body but who were also waiting and hoping for something to take place. There is perhaps one line of thinking that strikes at the very heart of this particular passage and that is the waiting which was present within the hearts and minds of those countless souls who were present in the midst of each of these five porches which were present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem.

As I read the words presented in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but be brought face to face with the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the waiting, the hoping and perhaps even the expectation of those impotent folk who were present within each of these five porches surrounding this pool. It is in the third verse of this chapter the apostle John presents us with the reality of these impotent folk waiting for the moving of the water while it is in the fourth verse we find that an angel went down at a certain season into the pool and troubled the water. Whosoever then was first to enter into the waters after they had been troubled would be made whole of whatsoever disease they had. This is actually something which warrants strong consideration for I can’t help but wonder at what point men and women began gathering around and congregating themselves at this pool. I would love to know when the first time was an angel came down and troubled the waters and some brave and courageous soul decided to step down into the waters. I very much doubt there was any instruction or revelation given unto men during those days declaring unto them that whosoever was the first to step down into the waters after they had been troubled would be healed. I am convinced that at one point the waters were troubled and one courageous and brave soul stepped down into the waters and was immediately made whole of the plague and infirmity that was present within their physical body. Oh how I would love to know what the infirmity was which that person who first stepped down into this pool and was made whole. What was that plague and/or infirmity that was present in the midst of the physical body of that person who first stepped down into the waters which was indeed healed after they stepped into the waters.

I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but think about and consider how there must have been word of mouths and some report which began to be circulating in the midst of the city of Jerusalem—and perhaps not only in the midst of the city of Jerusalem but also within Judaea and Galilee of this pool within the city. I can’t help but wonder if that first individual who was healed of the plague and infirmity which was present within their physical body went throughout the streets of Jerusalem completely and utterly healed of the plague within their body. Imagine the witness, the word and the testimony this particular individual would have concerning what happened to them. Here this particular individual would have an infirmity within their physical body and after stepping down into the waters of the pool after they were troubled they would indeed be healed of that plague which was present within their physical body. Eventually and ultimately word of mouth and report would indeed begin spreading like wild fire within and throughout the city of Jerusalem as men and women would begin gathering themselves unto and congregating themselves in the five porches surrounding this pool. Oh I can’t help but wonder what this sight would indeed have been like as this great multitude of impotent folk would begin to make their way to these five porches and/or would be brought by others who had to help bring them there. I can’t help but think about what it would and could have been like as countless impotent folk would begin congregating themselves within these five porches as they would indeed hear word and report of what had happened to that first person who was healed and made whole of the plague which was present within their physical bodies.

The more I think about and consider the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the countless impotent folk which were present in the midst of the five porches surrounding this pool. Oh there is something absolutely astonishing when your think about the time Jesus came unto and would show up at this pool of Bethesda and would speak unto this single man which had an infirmity for thirty and eight years. This is something which is actually quite unique when you think about it for in the third chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by Luke we find that when Jesus began His public ministry in the midst of the regions of Judaea and Galilee He was thirty years of age. Scripture does not speak to nor does it reveal how old Jesus was at this precise moment of time and whether He was thirty years of age or whether He might have been a year or two older. Assuming that Jesus was thirty years of age at the time of showing up at this pool of Bethesda this man who was at the very center of this encounter had had an infirmity for thirty and eight years. This is quite astonishing when you take the time yo think about it for it would suggest that this man first developed this infirmity eight years before Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and was brought into the midst of the earth. The apostle John makes it perfectly and abundantly clear that this man had an infirmity thirty and eight years and how he had found himself in one of the five porches which was present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem at this pool.

There is a great need for us to recognize and pay close attention to the words which we find in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding the countless individuals who were present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and at this pool as each and every one of them were waiting for something very specific. Oh I am absolutely convinced that there were essentially two distinct and unique journeys which are spoken of and alluded to within this passage of Scripture. There was the initial and original journey those individuals who made their way to these five porches as they would come from wherever they were previously that they might position themselves near this pool. Undoubtedly there would have been countless journeys which were made by men and women as they would make their way from whatever place they were living that they might come unto this pool. The sole reason and purpose for their coming unto this particular pool was because they knew that an angel would come down at a certain season and would trouble the waters. More than this they also knew that whosoever was first to step down into the pool after the waters were troubled would be healed of whatever infirmity and plague was present within their physical bodies. Oh there would have been a considerable number of men and women who would make their way unto this pool that they might position themselves in one of the five porches which were present in the midst of the city of Jerusalem and round about this pool. Oh there is a great need for us to recognize and understand this for it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful truth surrounding the truth that all those who were present within these five porches made their way unto the pool with a measure of expectation, anticipation and hope within their hearts and souls.

As I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but think about that which was present within the hearts and souls of those men and women who were present in these five porches. There is not a doubt in my mind that many—if not all of them—would make their way unto this pool and unto the five porches and would do so with a tremendous amount of hope, expectation and anticipation within their hearts and souls. I do not believe for one minute that those who made their way unto this pool and would position themselves in one of the five porches did so without thinking and believing that they could potentially be the first one to step into the waters after they had been troubled. I would dare say that hope was the overwhelming and driving force behind those who were present in the midst of this pool with its five porches. I firmly believe that it would indeed be hope within the hearts and souls of these countless impotent folk as they would make their way to these five porches themselves or as there would be those who would need the assistance of someone else who would help them arrive at this pool. Oh I would imagine this particular pool together with the five porches present round about it was much like Lo-Debar which was a place mention in the Old Testament where countless men and women who had plagues would be able to live and dwell. Oh you cannot read the words found in this passage of Scripture and not think about and consider how this pool would indeed become a congregation of the infirm and a congregation of the plagued and the disease as they would all make their way unto this pool with hope in their heart and anticipation and expectation within their soul concerning their physical condition. What’s more is that when I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I can’t help but wonder what would happen at the specific season when the angel would trouble the waters and after that first person would step down into the waters and would be healed of the plague and infirmity which was present within their physical body. In all reality I would dare say that with each time the waters were troubled and with each person who was healed and made whole of the plague which was present in their physical body two things happened. On the one hand we find a place within these five porches being vacated as that person who was healed and made whole of whatsoever plague was present in their body would be healed. When the angel came down and troubled the waters and one would step down into the pool and into the troubled waters they would not only be healed of whatever plague and infirmity was present within their physical body but they would also have no need to remain or abide any more in one of these five porches. As a direct result of this there would be an empty and vacant spot which was now present within the porch where they were present. What’s more is that I can’t help but wonder if when this particular individual who was healed would depart from the five porches someone else would move closer and would take their spot within the porch where they had previously been. Oh is it possible that when this particular one who was healed and made whole after stepping down into the waters was indeed made whole of the plague which was present within their physician bodies there would be another who would be waiting in the wind to occupy their place within the porch that they might be the next to step down into the waters. If there is one thing I can’t help but think about and consider when reading the words found in this passage it’s that not only was the matter of timing directly linked to the troubling of the waters and the possibility of one being healed and made whole of whatever plague was present in their physical body but it was also a matter of proximity. There is something to be said about what we find within this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the timing of one’s healing for it would come when the waters were troubled by an angel who would come down. There is within this passage of Scripture the subject of timing as at a certain season an angel would come down and trouble the waters. This concept of timing would essentially have two elements and distinct realities to it for on the one hand there would be the concept of the timing of the troubling of the waters while on the other hand there would be the concept of the timing of actually stepping down into the waters. It is indeed true that an angel would come down and trouble the waters at a certain and specific season and it is also true that whosoever was first to step down into the waters would be immediately made whole and healed of whatever plague and/or infirmity was present within their physical body. The second element of timing present within this passage of Scripture was the timing of actually stepping down into the waters as whosoever was first to step down into the waters would be healed and made whole of the plague which was present within their physical bodies. I am absolutely convinced that this concept of “first” which was mentioned and spoken of in this passage must needs be carefully considered when taking the time to think about it for the apostle John would make it very clear that whosoever was “first” to step down into the waters after they had been troubled would indeed be made whole of whatever plague or infirmity was present within their physical body. This is actually quite astonishing and remarkable when you consider the words and language Jesus used to describe the kingdom of heaven for there would be more than one time and occasion when the Lord Jesus would declare that the first would be last and the last would be first. Those who were living and dwelling within the five porches surrounding this pool all sought for one thing and one thing alone—to be first. All those who were gathered together within this pool desired within their heart and soul to be first to step down into the waters after they had been troubled for they all knew that it was a matter of timing and a matter of being first to step into the waters. Oh this is what makes this particular narrative and account so incredibly unique and powerful for that one whom Jesus would heal would not be first to step down into the waters. In fact when Jesus showed up and asked this man if he would be whole he would respond by declaring that he had no man when the water was troubled to put him into the pool. Not only this but this man would also go on to declare that when he was making his way down to the pool another stepped down before him and would be healed and made whole of the plague which was present within their physical body. I find myself being incredibly challenged when reading the words found in this passage of Scripture for what we find here within it is a strong and powerful concept of being first—and not only being first but first among countless others who earnestly and desperately desired the very same thing that you yourself desired. Imagine being in a particular place living with hope and living with waiting knowing there are countless others round about you who were longing for the same thing. Imagine being one of the countless souls who were present in the midst of these five porches who all earnestly and eagerly desired to be first to step down into the waters after they had been troubled that they might be made whole of the plague and infirmity which was present within their physical body. Oh when you read the words found in this passage of Scripture you will find that it’s not only about being first but it was also about proximity as I would dare say the closer one was to the pool and to the waters the better the chance was of their being able to be first to step down into the waters. Oh it wasn’t merely about them being able to step down into the waters in general but it was about stepping down into the waters first after they had been troubled by an angel which came down from heaven. This is something we must needs recognize and pay attention to for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth of proximity and timing within this passage as if one wanted to be healed and made whole of the plague which was present within their physical body they needed to be first to step down into the waters of the pool after they had been troubled. Imagine living and dwelling in a place of hope, in the a place of waiting, in a place of expectation and in a place of anticipation as you longed to be first to be able to step down into the waters after they had been troubled. IN all reality I would dare say that while this place might very well have been a place of hope as men and women longed to be the first to step down into the waters of the pool after they had been troubled it would also be a place of hopelessness, despair and perhaps even frustration. We would love to think that this place was one simply and solely of hope and yet the truth of the matter is I would dare say that as much as this would be a place of hope it would also be a place of hopelessness within the hearts and souls of those countless men and women who were present in the midst of these five porches. Imagine the hope, the expectations and the anticipation that was present within the hearts and souls of those men and women who desired to be first to step down into the waters after they had been troubled and the tremendous frustration, disappointment and discouragement that would settle within and upon their hearts and souls after they not only watched as another stepped down into the waters of the pool after they had been troubled but also realized and understood that they themselves would not be healed or made whole. Imagine the discouragement and disappointment that would settle into the hearts and souls of those who were present within these five porches as they would undoubtedly watch and witness as others would themselves step down into the waters of the pool and would be healed of whatever infirmity and plague was present within their physical bodies. This concept of discouragement, of disappointment of frustration and perhaps even of hopeless stiles at the very heart of the words which were spoken by this particular man when Jesus came to him asking if he would be made whole. There is not a doubt in my mind that this man earnestly and eagerly desired to be made whole, however, he thought and perceived that his healing and being made whole would and could only come as a result of stepping down into the waters of the pool. This man might not have had any context or framework for healing and wholeness within his physical body outside of and other than stepping down into the waters after they had been troubled. All of a sudden a completely stranger shows up at the pool and in one of the five porches and asks this man if he would indeed be made whole of the plague and infirmity that was present within his physical body. Upon hearing this question asked by Jesus whom this man undoubtedly perceived as being a complete stranger he would respond by expressing his disappointment, his frustration, his discouragement and even his hopelessness. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it says something when we think about how this man would not respond from faith, nor would he respond from hope but would indeed respond from a place of discouragement and disappointment. This man would hear the question Jesus asked him about wanting to be made whole and yet he would respond—not only in direct connection to the pool itself and the troubling of the waters but also of his own present plight and condition which he found himself in. This man would speak unto Jesus who showed up at the pool and would not only declare that he had no man when the waters were troubled to put him into the pool but even when he did manage to come unto the waters of the pool another would step down into the waters before him. Oh please don’t miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for what we find within it calls and draws our attention to the absolutely wonderful truth surrounding the hopelessness, the despair, the discouragement and the disappointment present within the heart and soul of this man. I would imagine that when the angel was coming down and even when the angel would begin troubling the waters there would be a sense of urgency, a sense of hope, a sense of expectation and a sense of anticipation which was present within the heart and soul of one who was present during those days. What’s more is I would dare say that in the days leading up to that season when the angel would come down and trouble the waters there would indeed be an ere of hope which was present within the hearts and souls of the men and women who were present within these five porches. I would imagine that there would be a certain period of time—however brief or fleeing that might have been—when those who were present within these five porches experienced and lived with a certain hope present within their hearts and souls. I would imagine there would be a certain amount of time when those who were present in these five porches would live with hope and expectation within their hearses as they would not only wait for the troubling of the waters but also hoped that this time would be their time. There is something to be said about those who are present within this passage of Scripture for undoubtedly all those who were present within these porches thought, and hoped and believed that they could indeed be first to step down into the waters after they had been troubled. WHEN THE DISAPPOINTMENT SETS IN! AFTER THE WATERS CALM! WHEN DESPAIR SETS IN! AFTER THE WATERS CALM! WHEN DISCOURAGEMENT SETTLES IN! AFTER THE WATERS CALM! I am sitting here today thinking about the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I can’t help but wonder what it was like after the waters calmed and after the waters were no longer stirring and no longer moving there in the midst of the pool. There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what it was like after that first person was healed and made whole of the plague which was present in their physical body and after the waters would calm and would no longer be stirred and moving. I would absolutely love to know what it would have been like within these five porches after the waters calmed to a still and after that one who was healed and made whole of the plague and infirmity which was present within their physical body was made whole. I can’t help but think about this place which was once filled with hope, with anticipation, with expectation and the like would now become a place of despair, a place of discouragement, a place of disappointment and a place of frustration. There is not a doubt in my mind that after the waters were calmed and would no longer be stilled that this place would indeed become a place of frustration and disappointment as those who had hope and expectation within their heart and soul to be made whole of the plague and infinity present within their body would indeed realize and recognize they had not made it into the waters in time. Oh for those who lived and dwelt in the midst of these porches waiting for the waters to be troubled there would be a continual despair, a continual disappointment and a continual discouragement as after the waters were troubled, and after that first person stepped down into the waters, and after they had been made whole, and after the waters had calmed the disappointment, the discouragement and the despair would settle in. I read these words and I can’t help but wonder how many times men and women who lived, dwelt and abode within these five porches would immediately and quickly resort to despair and discouragement when they realized that they were not and would not be healed of the infirmity and plague within their physical bodies. It is in this context where I find it absolutely incredible to read of how the Lord Jesus would show up at this pool—perhaps at a time when the waters were not scheduled to be stirred. Jesus would show up at this pool and would ask one of the impotent among them if he would be made whole knowing full well what He intended on doing. Jesus would show up. At this pool and would ask this man if he would be made whole and it would be in response to Jesus’ question this man would declare two distinct realities that would essentially disqualify him from every being made whole of the plague within his body by stepping down into the waters. The first reality which would disqualify this man from being made heal and made whole of the plague within his physical body would be the absence and lack of a man who would help him down into the waters. This man was unable to step down into the waters and be the first to step down into them because he had no man who would help him make his way to the waters and even help him step down into the waters. Oh this is something we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth surrounding this man needing someone who would be able to help him down into the waters after they had been troubled. This man knew that he would not be able to make his way down into the waters after they had been troubled and as a direct result of this he would be unable to step down into the waters after they had been troubled. This concept of not having a man to help him down to the waters and even help him to step into the waters is actually quite unique when you think about it for it begs the question of how one would and could come by having someone to help them make their down to and step into the waters. It is possible that there would be those who would have someone to help them make their way down to the waters at the specific season when they would be troubled? Is it possible that family members and/or loved ones would come to the pool to help their loved one make their way down to the waters that they might be the first to step into them? Oh this is something which warrants strong consideration for I can’t help but wonder if this despair, this discouragement and this disappointment would indeed be present within the heart(s) and soul(s) of those who would come unto the pool to help their loved one or friend make their way down into the waters that they might be made whole of the plague and infirmity within their physical body. Imagine coming to the pool at this particular season to help your friend and loved one be healed and made whole of their plague only to realize that you weren’t quick enough for there was another who would step down into the waters before your loved one and would be healed and made whole of their plague. Not only this but imagine being one who lived and dwelt within one of these porches and knew you didn’t have anyone to help you down to the waters and help you step into the waters. This man recognized and understood that he had no man who would help him down to the waters and even help him to step into them once and after they had been troubled. When Jesus showed up asking this man if he would be made whole of the plague which was present within his physical body he would speak from a place of discouragement, a place of despair, a place of disappointment as he would have no man who would help him down into the waters. I HAVE NO MAN! Oh if there is one thing which is present within the four gospel it’s the presence of certain individuals who would not only bring you to Jesus but also help get you to the presence of the Master. I am reminded of the man who was sick with the palsy and how there were four friends who would bring him unto the place where the Lord Jesus was. These four men would deliberately and intentionally carry this man upon his bed and couch unto the house where Jesus was and would find and discover that they could not enter into the house because it was essentially standing room only and they were crowded around the door itself. Determined to be undeterred these four men would carry this man together with his may to the roof of the house and after uncovering the roof would lower him down before Jesus in the presence of all those who were present in the midst of the he house. It would be the faith of these men which Jesus would recognize and observe and would declare unto this man that his sins were forgiven him. Moreover it would not only be the faith of these men that would prompt Jesus to declare unto this man that his sins were forgiven but it would be the hypocrisy and the offense of those present in the midst of the house that would bring Jesus to heal this man of the palsy present within his physical body and give the command for him to rise up and walk. There in the midst of this house this man who was sick with the palsy and who was not able to come through the door would not only rise up from his bed of affliction, and would not only be forgiven of his sins but would also walk out the very door he could not previously enter because of his condition. This man could not enter into the room because of his condition and all those who were crowded round about the door and yet after being in the presence of the Lord Jesus he would be healed and made whole, he would be forgiven and he would depart through the very door he was unable to come through originally. This is actually quite intriguing when you take the time to think about it for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous frustration and disappointment which was present within the heart and soul of this man. When Jesus showed up asking if he would be made whole he would immediately respond by speaking of the absence of having someone in his life who would help him down into the waters. I am absolutely convinced this is a profound and powerful picture of countless men and women among us within our culture and society as there are countless men and women who themselves have no one to help them into the place of healing, into the place of wholeness, into the place of freedom and into the place where they can truly be changed and transformed. I firmly believe that there are times when we can and will need others to help us enter into the presence of the Lord Jesus simply because our faith and our trust is not strong enough. I firmly believe that this man was indeed speaking from frustration, from disappointment, from discouragement and from despair as he had no man who would help him to the waters and help him down into the waters. It would be this absence and lack of having a man that this man would indeed unable to make his way down to the waters when they were troubled. Oh imagine being this man and watching as the angel came down from heaven and troubled the waters and imagine being this man who saw the waters being troubled and yet knowing that he had no one who would or could help him down into those waters. Imagine how incredibly frustrating and discouraging this would and could have been for this man who would watch as the waters were troubled knowing that he had no man. With this being said I am convinced that this man’s hopelessness, this man’s despair, this man’s discouragement and this man’s despondency would not only be centered around having no man when the waters were troubled but also watching as another would step down into the waters before him. Imagine being this man and not only seeing the waters being troubled knowing that you needed someone to help you down to and into the waters and yet knowing that you had no one who would help you down into the waters. Imagine being this man and watching as the waters themselves would be troubled knowing that you had no one to help you down into the waters while they were swirling and moving before you. What’s more is I would dare call and invite you to consider this man and the tremendous discouragement and disappointment that might very well be present within his heart and soul when he not only realized that he had not a man but even when there was indeed someone who was willing to help him there would be another who would step down into the waters before him. Oh I can’t help but think about how incredibly discouraged and frustrated this man would be—not only knowing and recognizing that he had no man to help him down into the waters but also watching as another would step down into the waters before him and would be healed and made whole of whatever plague and infirmity was present within their physical body. I read the words present in this passage of Scripture and I am brought face to face with the incredible truth surrounding this man and how completely and utterly hopeless he must have been by the time Jesus had arrived. Not only had this man lived with this infirmity for thirty and eight years but he also watched as countless others would enter and step down into the waters before him after they had been troubled. I can’t help but wonder if this man had spent nearly four decades living with discouragement, disappointment and despair within his heart and soul because of the condition that was present within his physical body. I would imagine this man would indeed live with hopelessness and frustration as he would not only live for nearly four decades with this physical condition but was also unable to be healed and made whole of the plague which was present within his physical body. There is not a doubt in my mind that this man would indeed live with a tremendous amount of hopelessness and despair within his heart and soul as he would not only enter into another year with the same infirmity and plague within his physical body but also would not find and experience healing and wholeness within his physical body. Oh I can’t help but wonder what it was like for this man as he would indeed spend almost four decades living with this infirmity and plague and not once experiencing healing, wholeness and soundness within his physical body. For almost forty years this man would live with the plague which was present within his physical body and would find absolutely no healing, nor wholeness nor soundness. Now he found himself in a place where it was actually possible for him to be healed of the plague and infirmity present within his physical body and he would once more find himself experiencing discouragement frustration. That which we find in this passage speaks of the incredible hopelessness which was present within the heart and soul of this man as not only would he not have a man who would help him down to the pool and help him into the waters but even when he did manage to make his way down to the waters there would be another who would step down into the waters before him and would receive healing and wholeness instead of him. OH I can’t help but wonder how many times this man watched as another would step down into the waters before him and/or would even watch from his place and position within one of these porches as the waters would be troubled knowing that he had absolutely no way or means to make it down to the pool. Undoubtedly this man would watch and witness countless men and women stepping down into the waters before and ahead of him and he would continue another year living with his infirmity and living with the plague within his physical body. For nearly forty years this man would live with this plague and infirmity within his physical body until Jesus showed up there in that place of hopelessness, in that place of discouragement, in that place of despair, and in that place of disappointment. Jesus would not only show up asking this man if he would be made whole but Jesus would also give the command unto him that he rise up, take his bed and walk. This is something truly astonishing and powerful when you think about it for not only is it possible that Jesus showed up at a time when the waters weren’t being troubled but Jesus would heal someone without them needing to step down into the waters of the pool. Jesus would indeed show up on this particular day asking this man if he would indeed be healed of the plague and infirmity which was present within his physical body and despite this man’s reasons for why and how he could not be healed Jesus would issue the command that would bring healing into his physical body. The Lord Jesus Christ would indeed speak healing into this man’s physical body as He would command him to rise—and not only rise but also take up his bed and walk. Oh the more I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture the more I am brought face to face with the tremendous and incredible truth surrounding this man who was undoubtedly living in a place of hopelessness, living in a place of despair, living in a place of discouragement and living in a place of disappointment. Jesus would show up at the pool on this particular day knowing that this man had no one to help him to the waters and help him step into the waters. Jesus showed up on this particular day knowing that this man had never been first and watched as countless others would indeed be first to step down into the waters. Jesus knew all those things which would seemingly have been against this man that would have prevented him from being healed and made whole of the plague and infirmity within his physical body and as a direct result of this Jesus would issue the command to rise. What’s more is that Jesus would not only issue the command to rise but he would also issue the command to take his bed and walk. Jesus wouldn’t merely show up and command this man to rise from this place of affliction, from his place of hopelessness, from his place of despair and from his place of disappointment but Jesus would command him to take up that which he had previously been bound and tethered to. Jesus would command this man to rise and to take up the very thing that had been his bed and his place for perhaps forty years. On this particular day Jesus would indeed show up at this pool asking this man one simple and very important question—namely whether or not he would be made whole. After hearing the reasons why this man wasn’t healed and made whole Jesus would issue the command that would indeed make him whole and would indeed bring healing into his physical body. Oh how absolutely incredible it truly is to read the words found in this passage of Scripture and consider how Jesus would hear and listen to the reasons this man would give as to why he would not and was not healed and it would be in that context he would give the command that he be healed and rise from his bed and take it up and walk. I absolutely love reading the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for they call and draw our attention to the fact that Jesus of Nazareth deliberately and intentionally showed up in Jerusalem at the time of the feast and I would dare say he came for the sole purpose of showing up at this pool by the sheep market. There is not a doubt in my mind that just as Jesus needed to journey through Samaria that he might demonstrate and manifest Himself as the Messiah unto the Samaritan woman and the city of Sychar so also he needed to journey into the city of Jerusalem from Galilee that He might bring healing to this man who had lived with this condition for forty years. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly captivating and powerful about the Lord Jesus showing up in the midst of Jerusalem at the time of one of the feasts when the city would have undoubtedly been crowded and packed. What’s more is Scripture is entirely and altogether unclear as to how many impotent folk actually lie within the five porches at the pool of Bethesda in the midst of the city of Jerusalem. The only thing we know for certain is that there was one man—one specific man—whom Jesus would show up and ask a very important question. The question Jesus would ask this man was one for which He already knew the answer and yet one which struck at the very heart of everything that was present within his heart and soul. There is not a doubt in my mind Jesus knew the answer to the question He would ask, however, He opened it up for this man to deliberately and intentionally respond to Him by expressing his frustration and disappointment. With this being said I find it absolutely astounding that Jesus isn’t deterred nor is He swayed by our honesty nor the vulnerability within our hearts and souls. Jesus is not afraid of the open and honest communication from our hearts as we express our frustration, our disappointment, our despair and even our disillusionment. If there is one thing this passage reveals it’s that Jesus embraces and welcomes our honesty and our willingness to express ourselves openly and vulnerably to Him. Jesus asked the question of this man if he wanted to be made whole knowing the frustration, knowing the discouragement, knowing the despair, knowing the hopelessness and knowing the full range of emotions and thoughts which were present within his heart and soul. I sit here today thinking about and considering the words which are found in this passage of Scripture and I am brought face to face with the truth that Jesus welcomes and even embraces our honesty and our vulnerability before Him in His sight and presence. If there is one thing this passage reveals it’s that Jesus is willing to show up in the midst of our hopelessness and in the midst of our despair knowing full well the emotions, the thoughts and the feelings we are experiencing and is willing to not only speak to that but also offer healing and wholeness. After hearing the words and response of this man concerning not having another who would help him into the waters and watching as another stepped down into the waters before him Jesus would speak forth the command that would radically and forever change this man’s life. Jesus would speak the command that would first call this man to rise from his place of affliction and despair before commanding him to take up his bed and walk. How absolutely wonderful and powerful this truly is when you take the time to consider how this man had spent nearly four decades living with this physical infirmity and malady and had perhaps spent a considerable amount of time living and dwelling within these five porches. There is a part of me that can’t help but wonder how many times this man watched and witnessed as someone else stepped down into the waters before him and would be healed of their infirmity. I find myself wondering how much disappointment this man had endured before that disappointment would eventually lead him into a place of despair and discouragement. How many times had this man watched as others would step down into the waters before him and experienced healing as he was either forced to return to his place or remain in the place where he had been for quite some time? How many times had this man been forced to remain in his place of despair and hopelessness thinking and feeling that he would never be healed of his infirmity or plague? What I so love and appreciate about the words presented in this passage of Scripture is that Jesus would show up and offer healing to this man without his needing another man to help him to the waters or into the waters. Jesus would show up and offer this man healing without his needing to wait for the waters to be stirred and be the first to step down into the waters. JESUS OFFERS HEALING WITHOUT NEEDING TO BE FIRST! JESUS OFFERS HEALING WITHOUT NEEDING TO WAIT! JESUS OFFERS HEALING AFTER AN EXTENDED PERIOD OF WAITING AND HOPELESSNESS! Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible reality that Jesus would show up at this pool on this particular day and I would dare say that He showed up at a time when the waters would not be stirred or moved. What’s more is that even as I am writing these words I can’t help but think about an old song that was written about God troubling the waters and how this was indeed a song that many sang and even thought they could praise God to. If there is one thing this passage reveals it’s that this man did not need to wait for the stirring or troubling of the waters to be healed—this despite the fact that he had suffered from this plague and infirmity for almost four decades. This man had suffered from this plague and infirmity for almost forty years and had undoubtedly spent a considerable amount of time longing, waiting and hoping for the time and day to come when he would be healed and more than likely he spent a considerable amount of time in the porches by this pool waiting for the stirring of the waters. What’s more is that this man not only waited for the stirring of the waters but also longed and hoped that he might finally be the first one to step down into the waters that he might be healed of his infirmity. As I read the words which are found in this passage of Scripture I am brought face to face with the tremendous beauty and wonder of the person of the Lord Jesus. Jesus would show up in the midst of the city of Jerusalem at a time of one of the Jewish feasts when the city was undoubtedly crowded and packed and it would appear that He deliberately and intentionally came for one person. If there is one thing the gospel narratives demonstrate and reveal—particularly and especially this gospel written by the apostle Joh—it’s that Jesus is willing to make the journey for the sake of one. It was the Lord Jesus Himself who spoke of one who had one hundred sheep and would leave the ninety and nine that they might go searching for that one sheep who was lost. Perhaps the single greatest reality found t within this gospel is how Jesus was willing to deliberately and intentionally make the journey to a very specific place for the sake of one. Jesus would journey and pass through Samaria for the sake of one woman whom He would declare Himself as the Messiah and as a direct result of this the whole city would believe on Him and believe Him to be the Messiah. Jesus would now journey unto the city of Jerusalem for the sake of one—and not only for the sake of one but for the sake of one who had suffered from an infirmity for almost forty years. What’s more is that within this gospel we find Jesus coming unto Bethany for the sake of one—his friend Lazarus whom He loved—that he might raise him from the dead and restore him to the land of the living. Jesus would journey into the city of Jerusalem at the time of another one of the Jewish feasts that He might give sight to a man who had been born blind thus allowing him to see for the first time within this life. Oh how absolutely incredible this gospel truly is for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth surrounding Jesus’ journey for the sake of one. What makes this passage all the more astonishing when you take the time to think about it is how Jesus’ healing of this man who suffered from an infirmity for thirty and eight years would provoke the Jews. As you read the words found in this passage of Scripture you will find that Jesus deliberately and intentionally healed this man—and not only healed this man but also instructed him to take up his bed and walk—knowing that it would provoke the Jews. How absolutely incredible it is to think about and consider how this man’s healing and testimony would be used to provoke the Jews to offense and would provoke their legalism and hypocrisy. This man’s healing would indeed provoke the Jews to o defense for they would witness and observe him carrying his mat on the sabbath day. This passage not only reveals Jesus’ healing of this man and the command for him to rise, take up his bed and walk but it also reveals how He healed this man on the sabbath. It would be Jesus’ healing of this man on the sabbath that would so provoke and anger the Jews that they would immediately resort to persecuting Jesus. The Jews sought to persecute Jesus because He had showed no regard for the sabbath in deliberately and intentionally healing a man on the sabbath as though by doing so it was some gross violation of sabbath laws. How absolutely remarkable this passage truly is when you take the time to think about it for the Lord Jesus would indeed heal this man of the plague he had suffered from for thirty and eight years. Imagine being this man and walking for the first time in nearly forty years—and not only walking but carrying his mat with him as he walked the streets of Jerusalem. This passage offers every indication that this man departed from the pool of Bethesda and began to move throughout the streets of Jerusalem for it would be in those very streets he would be indicted and rebuked by the Jews for carrying his mat on the sabbath day. As I bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary to call and draw your attention to the words presented in this passage of Scripture and how absolutely incredible it is that Jesus would show up in this place of utter helplessness and hopelessness to offer healing to a man who had suffered from an infirmity and plague for almost forty years. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for there is something truly captivating about Jesus showing up in the midst of helplessness as this man not only did not have anyone to help him down into the waters but also in the place of hopelessness as he would watch as another would step down into the waters once they were troubled. There is something absolutely powerful and beautiful about the words and language we find in this passage of Scripture for it calls and draws our attention to the incredible truth of Jesus who was willing to show up in the midst of this man’s helplessness and hopelessness to offer him healing for the first time in almost forty years. After almost forty years of hoping and waiting—even hopelessness and helplessness—Jesus would show up and offer this mean healing which was something he had longed for for an extended period of time. Not only this but it would be through this man’s healing that Jesus would further demonstrate Himself as the Son of the living God for the whole reason the Jews sought to kill Him in this particular passage. It would be through the healing of this man on the sabbath the Jews sought to persecute Jesus and it would be through His speaking of God as His Father that would provoke the Jews even further to actually want to kill and destroy Him. Oh how absolutely powerful this truly is when you take the time to think about it for it brings us face to face with the tremendous beauty of Jesus and how He deliberately and intentionally shows up in the place of helplessness, hopelessness and despair that He might offer healing and wholeness to those who are longing and hoping to be made whole for the first time ever or perhaps even for the first time in a long time. Oh that we would recognize that Jesus is indeed our healer and that he can indeed show up in those places of despair, discouragement, disappointment and disillusionment that we might freely receive the healing and wholeness we have so desperately and earnestly desired within our hearts and souls.