March 10, 2023
Needing a Dip in the Pool
“After these things 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 porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.]” John 5:1-4 (NASB)
Over several years, my friends and I had participated in the Multiple Sclerosis Bike rides to raise funds for the cure of those battling the terrible disease. We had to raise a certain amount to participate in the ride. This one started at World Gold Village and ended in Daytona Beach, Florida. The ride was approximately 164 miles over two days. 82 miles down, and 82 back the next day. After the first day we arrived in Daytona Beach. We checked into our hotel for the night. We all decided to sit in the hot tub to try to relax our legs. It was so soothing. My legs felt better even after a short time. That night, there was also a strong smell Bengay ointment from my friend’s side of the room. I slept good with my nasal passages wide open that night. I wasn’t sure how my legs would feel the next day. I had never ridden that far in two days. The next day we got on our bikes and rode back. I didn’t have any effects from the first day. I think the hot tub made all the difference. I felt like it almost healed my legs. The hot tub was no Bethesda, but it ministered to my legs that day. As bad as my legs ached, I can’t imagine suffering every day and not being able to get to the pool for relief. Those who gathered at the pool of Bethesda were looking for a miracle. The afflicted were looking for hope, and Hope was on its way…
The history behind the pool of Bethesda is an interesting one. The word Bethesda means, “house of outpourings” or “house of mercy.” These areas are where large numbers of people gathered with infirmities waiting for the “moving of the waters.” They wanted to be healed. Until then, they were considered outcasts to society. Several sites over times have been identified as potential, however due to the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70, it is impossible at this time. Some scholars believe the pool was apparently fed by a spring, and people who gathered had imagined that its waters had healing powers. John MacArthur says, “Ancient sources indicate that the water in the pool had a reddish tint from the minerals in it.”[2] Whatever the belief of the era was, many continued to gather there for a possible healing.
Imagine yourself today being “sick, blind, lame, and withered,” unable in your own capacity to make it to the healing water. Someone brought you to this present need for healing. His name was Adam. Every condition listed here in this passage as “sick, blind, lame, and withered,” is what we look like in our present condition without Jesus Christ. We are sick, in need of a cure. Jesus cures us. We are blind, in need of spiritual sight. He gives us sight. We are lame. Nothing we can do is right. Jesus makes us right before God. We are withered. In our best effort to achieve salvation, we are not perfect as God demands. Jesus makes us perfect in-Christ. We are like those lying next to the waters, waiting for Someone to stir it and make us whole again. Not only to be whole, but perfect through Jesus’ gift to us.
[1] New American Standard Bible: 1995 Update (La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation, 1995), Jn 5:1–4.
[2] (John MacArthur, 2006), 173.