DAY 55 of #100daysofJesus
The pool of Bethesda was believed to be a supernatural pool with healing qualities.
Lore was that an angel would periodically "trouble the water" and then "whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had." As you can imagine, such a pool of healing would attract many desperate people hoping for healing.
One such man had suffered 38 years from a condition that was likely paralysis. Each time the water was troubled, someone more agile would reach the water before him because he had no one to quickly place him into the pool. He had been there quite some time and was likely filled with hopeless discouragement.
Jesus saw the man and immediately understood his plight and condition. He asked him, "Wilt thou be made whole?"
The depressed man couldn't even respond with a hopeful "yes" but instead made excuses about his inability to get to the water.
Yet Jesus had compassion on the man and replied "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." We read that "immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked."
It's interesting in this example that the man did not come to Jesus asking for help. Jesus came to him.
From what is written, it appears the man was not required to show forth any additional effort or faith - it sounds as though he had already given up hope. Jesus healed him anyway.
Jesus' mercy, compassion, and grace are beyond our ability to comprehend. He is willing to come to us, meet us where we are, and offer us His healing touch.
As I study the many miracles - especially healings - that Jesus performed during His ministry, I'm amazed at His love and compassion for broken individuals. No person was beyond His ability or willingness to heal. No person was undeserving or unworthy of His healing touch.
It is His great pleasure to heal our wounded souls.
(John 5:2-9)
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