Key Verse: When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” 8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.” (John 5:6-9 CSB)
The opening verses of John 5 tell an incredible story of healing that occurred during the Sabbath festival in Jerusalem. The setting for this dramatic display of Jesus’ power was a pool called Bethesda located by the Sheep Gate in the city. Near this pool were five colonnades where those who faced physical disabilities often lay.
At that time, there seemingly was a belief by many that this pool was a special place for healing. Some thought that an angel would come and stir up the waters on certain occasions. When the waters were stirred up, the first to touch the water would apparently be healed.
Of the people who were there that day was a man who “had been disabled for thirty-eight years” (v.5). Imagine that. For close to four decades, this man had not been able to walk. Instead he was forced to either crawl or more likely to rely on those around him to carry him on his mat.
When Jesus saw this man, and realized his predicament, He stopped and asked the man, “Do you want to get well?” (v.6). The issue for the man wasn’t about whether he wanted to be healed. Rather, every time the waters were stirred up and he made his way to the pool, someone always got there ahead of him. Every week, year after year, for so long, this was his story. Even though he so desperately wanted to get well, he kept missing the opportunity.
So Jesus looked at him and simply said, “Get up” (v.8). Even though you have been unable to walk for close to forty years, stand to your feet, “pick up your mat and walk” (v.8). Can you imagine what must have been going through the mind of this man as Jesus said this? Amazingly, as soon as Jesus said these words, “instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk” (v.9). He was healed and restored!
In this encounter, we see at least two important things about Jesus. Notice first, His compassion. No doubt, hundreds of people regularly walked by and paid no attention to this disabled man lying near the pool. Most people would have ignored him and walked by. Yet Jesus stopped. He cared about this man’s predicament. His heart when out to this man in need as Jesus “realized he had already been there a long time” (v.6).
There is comfort to be found in this, as we reflect on the truth that Jesus also sees us. Whether we are dealing with a physical ailment, or our burden is more of an emotional or relational one, Jesus knows. He sees us. His heart toward us is not one of condemnation, but rather compassion. He cares about our situation and circumstances.
But it’s not just the compassion of Jesus that is so amazing. In this story we see His incredible power. A disability of close to forty years was not an issue for Jesus. In an instant, this man was fully restored and able to walk. Why? It’s because Jesus has the power to heal and restore. There is nothing that falls outside the realm and scope of His power. He can do all things!
What are the burdens that you are facing right now that you need to take to Jesus? What are the issues that are holding you back from moving forward? Take time to reflect on the compassion of Jesus toward you. Remember His awesome power to heal and restore. Humbly ask Him to move in your life today.
Prayer: Jesus, you have the power to heal and restore. There is nothing that you cannot do. I bring to you today my burdens and difficulties. Thank you that you see them and that you care. I humbly ask for you to show your healing power in my life, all for your glory. Amen.
Author: Jonathan Miller has served in pastoral roles for more than 13 years in churches in Barrie, Oakville and Burlington, Ontario. He currently serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Prison Fellowship Canada, a ministry that mobilizes and equips local churches to engage in the restorative work of prisoners, ex-prisoners, their families, and victims across Canada. Jon holds degrees from McMaster University and Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. He and his wife Adrienne have been married since 2004, and live in Burlington, Ontario with their 4 children. Jon’s greatest passion is to know Jesus and to see lives transformed by Him and for Him.
