Scripture:
John 5:2-3, 5-9 ESV
[2] Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. [3] In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed.
[5] One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. [6] When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” [7] The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another step down before me.” [8] Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” [9] And at once, the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.
Observation:
The Pool of Bethesda was a well-known place. It was believed to have an angel that would stir the water, and when the water was stirred, healing power would come from it. You can imagine the group of people that would come from that kind of situation. The blind, the lame, the Def, maybe even lepers. All those who needed healing gathered there. The thing is only the first one that got into the pool would receive the healing that was needed. This made things very difficult for those who could not move quickly. There was a man who had been lying by the pool for 38 years, hoping to one day be the first to get into the water as it was stirred. Inching his way closer and closer but always coming up short. You can imagine the despair that had to set in. Being trampled on by all those who were seeking healing as well and never making it to the water before someone else got their healing. The hopelessness that had to set in. He is unable to do it by himself, yet no one would help him. The unexpected turn of events was an encounter with Jesus. That day would change his life forever. The interesting part of this situation is the first question that Jesus asked… do you want to be healed? The man’s response would say it all. I can’t do it on my own. I have tried and tried. Every time I make any effort to do so, I get beat to the pool by someone with legs that work. You can almost hear Jesus’s saying… but that’s not what I asked you… do you want to be healed? That’s the question. But why would HE ask that? The man had been there 38 years. Every effort had been another moment of defeat. Another disappointment. The only answer could be yes, yes I want to be healed. The life-changing words that came from the mouth of Jesus astonished all who were lying around the pool. Pick up your bed… instantly, his legs were healed.
Application:
Over the many years of a long struggle with addiction. I have had many attempts to break free. I went to my first treatment center at 15 years old. I made it a few months clean and fell flat on my face. I went back at 17 and ended up with a little over a year. Before another relapse. 2 more go rounds in my 20s at 28. I was sentenced to a program called D.T.C. It was much like drug court now, only a lot more structures. That time, I ended up with 8 years before launching a pro-wrestling career and finding steroids. For yet another disappointment. All my efforts could not fix my issue. That was not the last attempt. I didn’t give up. I wanted different. I just didn’t know how to get it. Then, 14 years ago. I was brought to an encounter with Jesus. I had never tried that. All the thousands of dollars for treatment. Gave me a great vocabulary and a lot of information about addiction. But the only thing that could heal me was the SON of GOD. Before that, I had started to lose hope. What it all comes down to is do you want it. Are you going to give up? The crazy thing is I was just doing the math in my head, and I was around 38 years old when that encounter took place. What I’m saying is don’t give up. If you are struggling with anything. Don’t give up. Do you want it? Don’t give up. I believe the question was asked of this man for a reason. Because if you truly want something, you won’t give up. You will constantly and persistently push forward to get it. So the question today for us is, do you want it? Don’t give up. You are worth it.
Prayer:
Father, thank you for opening our eyes. All of our efforts have led us only to despair. What we have always needed was an encounter with you. We know that without that, it’s hopeless. Thank you for setting up that appointment at just the right time. You knew when we were ready, and you made yourself known to us when we were at our most desperate point in life. Now you know that it’s what you did on the cross that made the difference. It is finished. You did the one thing that we could not do, and as a result, healing took place. In our lives and the lives of many others. That you… honestly, that’s all we can say. Thank you. It’s in the mighty name of Jesus I pray amen.