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Jesus heals at the pool of Bethesda.

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John 5:2-9
2Now there is a pool at the Sheep Gate at Jerusalem, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. 3In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, of blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 4For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and troubled the water. Then whoever first stepped in after the troubling of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had. 5And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying, and knowing that he had spent much time, He said to him, Do you desire to be made whole? 7The infirm man answered Him, Sir, when the water is troubled, I have no one to put me into the pool. But while I am coming, another steps down before me. 8Jesus says to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. 9And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked. And it was a Sabbath on that day.
- - - - - [verses 10-13 skipped, (the Jews questioning the man as to who healed him)] - - - - -
14Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you. 15The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him whole. 16And therefore the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him, because He had done these things on the Sabbath day. 17But Jesus answered them, My Father works until now, and I work.
MKJV
Insights
  • In various versions the last part of verse 3 and all of verse 4 is omitted, This does not negate the healing that took place. What this concerns is man's belief or disbelief of an angel being present when the water was stirred.
  • Jesus asked the man if he desired to be made whole? This may seem to us like a strange question, but once you are in a certain condition for a long time you tend to become adjusted and use to certain conditions, limitations and disabilities. This goes back to man's free-will, it is our choice whether we want to pursue and keep fighting the good fight of faith or simply rest where we are.
  • There is no mention if this man believed in Jesus or even if he knew who Jesus was. It can be assumed that Jesus' command; Rise, take up your bed and walk, carried great authority.
  • Afterwards Jesus met the man in the temple, and said; you have been made well, Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you. Jesus tied his former sickness to his sin. Not all sickness is directly related to personal sin, but sin does open a door for the enemy and the sickness he brings to come in.
  • This also shows that it is God's will, it is His nature to heal. Jesus was not asked by the woman with the issue of blood, but rather she put a healing demand on Him. Jesus did not have to heal, He just did. If we are receptive and willing, it is always God's will to heal.