Dear Explorer,
Read John 5:1-15
Jesus was living in Capernaum, but He traveled to Jerusalem for a Festival. There were three Jewish Festivals each year that required all Jewish men to come to Jerusalem to celebrate because the temple was in Jerusalem.
There has been a lot of speculation and guessing about exactly what this pool of Bethesda was. Maybe it was an underground spring, a hot spring, or a mineral bath. Some claimed an angel came occasionally and stirred the waters and the first one into the water was healed. (That sounds really cruel to the who couldn't move). I would like to help you think of this in our present day.
Today, our world is filled with self-help books. They are a healing pool for some and for others – they just make things worse. The internet is also filled with suggestions and opinions and self-help advice.
But note, Jesus didn't enter into a debate about the pool's pros and cons. He just cut through all the hullabaloo and asked, “Do you want to be well?”
Instead of answering the question, what did the man reply?
This event amazes me because Jesus healed the man even though the man's thoughts were still focused on the pool – not on Jesus.
Do you see any indication that he loved Jesus, followed Jesus or even thanked Jesus?
I believe it's important for you and me to realize that God sometimes heals people – not because they are good – but because He is!!! This man had been sick for 38 years and Jesus had compassion on him.
We, too, need to remember to be kind and gentle and loving toward all people whether they love Jesus or not. If we share God's love with everyone the way Jesus did – then we must not make exclusions! God is love!
In His service, dale
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