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Welcome to Day 9 of our 14-day journey through the Gospel of John! Today, we will explore Jesus’ healing of a man at the pool of Bethesda. This miracle not only demonstrates Jesus’ power but also raises profound questions about our desires and willingness to be transformed. Let’s delve into John 5:1-15 and uncover the significance of Jesus’ question, “Do you want to be made well?”
The Setting: Pool of Bethesda
John 5:1-4 describes a scene at the pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, near the Sheep Gate. This pool is surrounded by five covered colonnades, where a large number of disabled people—blind, lame, and paralyzed—used to lie. They believed that an angel would occasionally stir the waters, and the first person to enter the pool after the stirring would be healed.
A Desperate Man
Among the multitude, Jesus notices a man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years (John 5:5). Jesus approaches him and asks a seemingly straightforward question: “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). This question cuts to the heart of the man’s condition, not just physically but also emotionally and spiritually.
The Man’s Response
The man’s response reveals his hopelessness and resignation: “Sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me” (John 5:7). He does not directly answer Jesus’ question, instead focusing on his inability to reach the pool and the lack of help.
The Miracle
Despite the man’s despair, Jesus commands him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk” (John 5:8). Instantly, the man is cured; he picks up his mat and walks (John 5:9). This miraculous healing demonstrates Jesus’ authority and compassion, offering hope where there seemed to be none.
The Controversy
The healing takes place on the Sabbath, which leads to a confrontation with the Jewish leaders. They challenge the man for carrying his mat on the Sabbath, which they consider a violation of the law (John 5:10). The man explains that the one who healed him instructed him to do so, but he does not initially know who Jesus is (John 5:11-13).
Jesus’ Follow-Up
Later, Jesus finds the man in the temple and offers a crucial piece of advice: “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (John 5:14). This statement highlights the importance of spiritual health and the need for a holistic approach to wellness, encompassing both physical and moral aspects.
Reflection and Application
Jesus’ question, “Do you want to be made well?” challenges us to examine our own willingness to be healed and transformed. It prompts us to consider not only our physical ailments but also our spiritual and emotional wounds.
Questions for Reflection:
- How does Jesus’ question, “Do you want to be made well?” resonate with your own experiences of needing healing or transformation?
- What obstacles or excuses might be preventing you from experiencing the fullness of Jesus’ healing power in your life?
- How can you respond to Jesus’ invitation to “get up” and walk in newness of life, embracing both physical and spiritual wellness?
Take time today to reflect on your own need for healing and how Jesus’ transformative power can make you whole. Consider how you can seek His help and respond to His invitation to live a life of wellness and faith.
Stay tuned for Day 10, where we will explore the miracle of feeding the five thousand and uncover the significance of Jesus being the Bread of Life. Together, let’s continue to uncover the depths of the Gospel of John and allow it to transform our faith journey.