Insolomonsporch's Blog

Day Twenty-Eight

He Sees Your Need!

“Now there is in Jerusalem a pool near the Sheep Gate.”  Jn 5:2

          Before Jesus walked the earth as man and God, and ministered to the invalid at this pool of Bethesda, He had sent down an angel at appointed times to stir the waters of the pool.  Whoever entered the waters first after the stirring – was healed!

         Now this certain invalid had laid there  waiting for healing for a very long time.  The Amplified Bible says that Jesus knew that he had already been a long time in that condition.  Jesus knows how long we’ve been in our condition too!  This invalid had suffered for thirty-eight years.  A lot of people would say that would exclude him from being healed.  After all – this infirmity was all he ever knew. 

          But it says that Jesus knew how long.  He saw how long! Jesus was aware over the seasons and years – each time He sent an Angel to stir those waters — this man was helpless.  Imagine it! After the very first water stirring, someone enters the water and is miraculously healed – people begin to understand!  “If I can get into the water first after its stirred, I can be healed!”

          They begin to watch the waters, intent, waiting expectantly.  Crowds grow.  More sick come to wait on the angel’s stirring.  It seems to take forever.  They grow weary in their waiting.  They stop watching – stop hoping. Then suddenly it happens again– the angel stirs the water – but someone else gets in before you.  Pretty soon – you move to hopelessness.  After all, there is always going to be someone who is quicker than you to enter the pool.  There’s always someone faster, brighter, more alert, stronger etc.  But that is why Jesus asked this invalid, “Do you want to become well?” He had to stir up expectancy and hope within this man to receive healing – just like He had done so many times before with the waters of the pool.

          As the invalid begins to explain his limitation and his lack of ability to get in the pool, desire and want are being quickened within him.  When Jesus says to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk!” – he doesn’t have to struggle under his own effort to receive the strength to get up.  It is immediately there – Power is there at the moment Jesus speaks the word.  The power to get up is right there because the command of God empowers Him to respond and obey. Jesus supplies what we can’t!

          As I look at this pool of Bethesda, this invalid, and what Jesus does for Him – I know that it was not just for that moment in time, but the same healing is available to anyone for all time!  As believers in Jesus Christ, we have entered through the Sheep Gate into the place of blessing and promise in Christ.  We reside in the place of grace upon grace, and spiritual blessing upon blessing, even favor upon favor (Jn1:16) – that is in Christ Jesus.  Greater than the Pool of Bethesda that had a seasonal stirring for healing, we live in the very Presence of the Most High God Who has already given us all things for life and godliness.  Nothing is impossible for Him!  His arm is not shortened in any way.  

          Perhaps we have continued to focus our attention where He once moved, but is no longer moving.  Once Jesus visited this invalid at the pool do you think He would send His angel later to continue to stir the waters?  I don’t.

          The angel stirring the waters was a foretaste of God’s grace.  But when Jesus arrived on the scene – ALL GRACE HAD ARRIVED!  It would not be superseded by external waters again being stirred!  Out of His fullness we have already received one grace after another, spiritual blessing upon blessing, favor upon favor!  But if you see yourself unable to enter that, if you have grown un-expectant because of disappointment and failure and inability – look to Jesus.  Tell Him of your attempts and shortcomings.  Let hunger and hope be quickened within you again, so that when He says, “Get up,” you will be able to immediately!  It is the power of God that brings you to your feet. 

          Arise, enter in, be hopeful again, be-loved.