Jesus has a Probing Question for you.
Do you want to get well? hmmm....
podcast: https://www.pastorwoman.net/podcast/episode/289cbc3e/jesus-has-a-probing-question-for-you-john-no-15
That was the question Jesus asked a paralyzed man lying near a healing place a long time ago. I wonder if the guy had an incredulous look on his face … 'Of course I want to get well--look where I am!'
Where was he? At the pools of Bethesda in Jerusalem, not far from the Temple. As an observant Jew, Jesus came to town to celebrate one of the Feasts, which led him past the pools.
**One of the things I noticed on my first trip to Israel, and every one since, was just how close everything seems to be--especially in and around Jerusalem. And I am so thankful I can picture these Pools and their proximity to the Temple Mount, both of which are impressively large.
Bethesda. hmmm.... beautiful really as Hebrew name means 'House of Mercy.' The pools were not discovered until 1888, and despite their great size, have not been fully excavated as part of them are under the Arab Quarter of the Old City. (one minute video of the Pools at Bethesda - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iky0nGDl2jk)
Once again - a real place, named in Scripture - in the very location the gospel writer puts it.
Yes, the New Testament scriptures are reliable historical accounts. More than a Carpenter
With that said, check out what happened there:
“After this (after Jesus had been in Cana, and healed the official's son who was some 20 miles away), there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered Him, “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.”
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. John 5.1-9
On this day in Jerusalem, the man no doubt woke up and thought it was going to be just like every other day. If the stream bubbled up at the Bethesda Pool—he would struggle and strain to get into it, but like every other day for more days than he could count, others would rush before him. There just was not much hope for change; but if he left the pool, there was no hope at all.
Then...Jesus. Of course the man did not know Jesus when He approached him. This is the third miracle John has described, all three bear some things in common-- only mentioned in John's gospel, they come about after some conversation. And as we have seen, Jesus cuts right to the man's need. “Do you want to be made well?”
That really is the question, isn’t it? Hmmm—people take pills, run to doctors, try fads, but do they really want to get well? Sometimes, getting well takes work--maybe realizing what has made us sick. I have seen and personally experienced the word disease means just that--we have dis-ease in our bodies, lodged in our minds, sickening our souls. We oft overlook things like stress, bitterness, guilt, heartache or trauma from years ago, un-forgiveness. Then there are bad habits/addictions, unhealthy relationships, and sin conditions... and we do not cry out to God to come and save... to come and do what only He can do.
Truth is, God wants so much more for us than we even want for ourselves.
Listen to me: Jesus is asking you the same thing: “Do you want to be made well?”
Here's my brief story: in the last 2 1/2 years, I was diagnosed with yet another auto-immune disorder; the only treatment for the pain was taking steroids, (even though in my world, everything can be fixed by working out a little harder/smarter, resting better, praying about it, and maybe a new supplement...) not this time, but steroids were not a long term solution. After doing some research, seeking counsel and praying about it, I believe this disorder was the result of childhood trauma. So I took my disease to God, let him interview me about what memories of mine needed healing, so that my body could heal in turn, and I was healed. Completely. Since, I have had more opportunities to pray for others--specifically in the arena of healing past pain and stored trauma. Reach out to me if I can pray with/for you.
Jesus spoke healing into being – ‘Take up your mat and walk!’ Jesus radically changed that man's life! There is hope for change after all--even after 38 long years. Ask me... I know. You see, God is still in the miracle working business.
Jesus loves you. He wants to see you whole.
Listen! "Why Not Now?" Matt Gilman, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4l2ImTRVfd4&list=RD4l2ImTRVfd4&start_radio=1
Christine
Hey, want to see the Pools of Bethesda with me? We're going in February! I will be co-leading and teaching with my dear friend, Pastor Eric Laverentz, who is a passionate teacher of the Word. Check out the link below:
-->>>>Footsteps of Jesus Tour, February 10-20, 2027:
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