The Healing at the Pool- John 5:1-15

Jesus heals a man by a pool.

Today’s reading picks up, “some time later,” after Jesus healed the official’s son. Until now, we have had more of a day-to-day account of what Jesus was doing, but today, a little time has passed. We know Jesus was in town for a feast. There were three that all Jewish males were required to attend, but the scripture doesn’t say which one.

Since Jesus was back in Jerusalem, he would be under much closer scrutiny by the Jewish leaders. He would have had more freedom in Galilee as well as Samaria to teach and heal without constant questions and objections from the people who considered themselves in charge. He had to have known that each time he healed or taught when he was in the area of the temple, would bring him a step closer to the cross. He healed and taught anyway.

There was a pool that attracted all sorts of disabled people from blind to lame to paralyzed. They believed that from time-to-time and angel of the Lord, stirred up the water and caused it to bubble.The first person in after the movement in the water was healed. So, these people sat day after day, hoping for a miracle, hoping for healing.

Jesus walks by and sees a man lying on a mat. The text tells us that he had been an invalid for 38 years. He may have been completely paralyzed or have had very little use of his legs; the Bible isn’t specific. Either way, he couldn’t make it to the pool without assistance.

Jesus asks him the simple question, “Do you want to get well?” It seems pretty straightforward, doesn’t it? Yet, it has a deeper meaning. Jesus asks every one of us on a daily basis, “Do you want to get well? Do you want to be whole? Do you want to be forgiven? Do you want to be free?” How do we answer these questions when they are directed at us?

The man answers, “Sir, I have no one to help me to the pool.” He doesn’t ask Jesus for help or for healing. He doesn’t appear to know who Jesus is. Until now, people have come to Jesus asking for help. Their faith heals them. But, in this instance, Jesus heals a man who has no idea who he is.

He tells him to pick up his mat and walk. Here’s the faith part in this story. He picks up his mat and walks. He doesn’t argue. He doesn’t hesitate or ask a bunch of questions. He does as he’s told. He hasn’t walked in 38 years, but stands up and walks away. Here’s another example of someone doing as Jesus tells them to, with fabulous results.

Jesus sees him later in the temple and tells him to stop sinning or something worse could happen. This man had been physically trapped for a long time, but Jesus wanted him to know  that there are eternal consequences for sinning. The the man tells the Jews who healed him.

Again, Jesus had to have known the trouble it would stir up for him by talking to the man in the temple, but he did it anyway. He had a mission.

What do you think about today’s reading?

Have an awesome day!

Wendy 🙂