Stirring Up The Water

The Pool of Bethesda becomes a place of miracles at a certain time of year, having an angel stirring up the water for a blessing for the first recipient to step forth after the stirring. That person, would receive  a healing of whatever disease he had. According to John 5:3-4. Many sick people, waited for the water's movement, the blind, lame, paralyzed--a great multitude of hope-filled people came. John reveals in the next verse that a man had been there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. Jesus knows that he had been in that condition a long time and poses this question to him "Do You Want To Be Made Well."

Several times, it is made mention that it was the Sabbath, a day which is unlawful to carry his bed. Yet, this man, who was a Jewish paralytic man, is not only healed, but does in fact, carry his bed. The Jews seemed less interested in the miracle, but in seeking the one who healed him, saying in verse (12) "Who is the man who said to you "Take up your bed and walk'?"

The infirm man in verse (7) said to Jesus, "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."

After 38 years, this man still had a shade of hope, even though he may have believed that he wouldn't have been fast enough to be the first one in the stirred water, he still was there, he came, wanting to be made well. Even so, Jesus stimulated the sick man's faith. 

A common belief was that illness and misfortune were divine retribution for sin. Jesus tells him in the temple, (14) "See you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

It has been made clear that you must step forward in faith to receive healing, if healing is what your heart desires.

Healing requires patience and the willingness to keep on trying. This says to the reader, never give up no matter how long it takes. Jesus loves you and desires all to be saved. Believe it and your life will be changed forever.

Scripture reference is taken from the Orthodox Study Bible, John 5:3-15