Wednesday, March 9, 2016

BETHESDA

Pool of Bethesda
One of the highlights of today's trip to Israel was praying for healing in our group at the Pool of Bethesda -- the House of Mercy.

The pool is just north of the Temple Mount.  History tells us it was a large double pool - perhaps 150' x 300' -- possibly up to 40 feet deep -- it's source from a nearby spring.

In John 5:3 we're told the pool was a place where a great number of disabled gathered -- blind, lame, the paralyzed, infirm.  Tradition is that an angel stirred the waters of the pool and the first one in after the stirring was healed.

Picture it.  Hundreds piled on top of one another -- sitting there for days, weeks, month, years -- just waiting to be healed.  Lucky Wednesday arrives and here come the bubbles -- first one in gets a new life.

It's kind of bizarre, I have to say.

And there in verse 5 is our guy.  'One there had been an invalid for 38 years.'

A lot of men in that didn't even live 38 years, but this guy had been crippled that long.  Evidently every time -- for 38 years -- that the waters stirred, he had nobody to help him in before someone more mobile beat him to it.  And Jesus comes along and selects this particular guy to heal.

In verse 6 Jesus asks him:  'Do you want to get well?'

I don't know - it just seems like such an odd question.  'I'm going to the hospital - gonna get hooked up to an IV because I just like surgery and the smell of antiseptic.'

OF COURSE I WANT TO GET WELL.

Why would Jesus ask such a question?

The guy had been there for 38 years.  But do you think everyone there actually wanted to get better?  You don't believe that, do you?

The Pool of Bethesda is a lot like church.  Not everyone who comes to church wants to be helped.  There are benefits to hanging out at the pool.  Sympathy.  Commiseration.  Everyone bragging about how miserable their symptoms are.  'I have bigger sores than you ... my life is more painful than yours.'  And on and on.

'Do you want to get well?'

But Jesus comes to him -- 'Do you want to get well?'

Because if Jesus heals him, his whole life changes.  He has to get up the next morning - he has to go to work - he has to buy food - he has to do life like everybody else.

Do you want to get better?  Do you want things to change?  Do you want to be different?

'To tell the truth, not really.  I kind of like my pain.'

I'll just be honest -- this guy in John 5 drives me crazy.  'I've been sitting here 38 years and I have not one friend to help me in the pool.'

Sigh.

But Jesus touches him anyhow.

'So, who healed you?'

'Umm.  I don't know.  Guess I shoulda asked?'

He didn't even ask.

God does amazing things in someone's life -- they're delivered from something -- their family is healed -- their children are helped -- but they don't take a second to thank God for it.

But Jesus says:  'You've been healed.  Start over.  Pick up your mat.  Stop sinning.  Go forward.'

If you're Jesus and you only have one healing to do today, would you grab this guy?  I wouldn't have. I'd have found that guy and thrown him in the pool and sat on him.

But God isn't like us.  He uses every opportunity to dispense grace with mercy.  He does what I'd never do.

Do you love Jesus?  Because He sure does love you.  And at this Bethesda - the House of Mercy - His grace is amazing for you.

And be blessed.

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