2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these were lying a multitude of those ailing, blind, lame, paralyzed.

5 One man there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lying there … He asked him, “Do you want to get well?”

7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred.

8 Then Jesus told him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and walk.”

9 And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath.

— John 5:2-3; 5-9

But I will restore your health and heal your wounds, declares the LORD

— Jeremiah 30:17

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

— Psalm 147:3

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Christ’s grace be with you!

One Sabbath day Jesus deliberately came to the Pool of Bethesda near the “Sheep Gate” of Jerusalem to reach out to a lame man among a big crowd of blind, lame and paralyzed people. Once Jesus found him, He did not waste time on small talks but, instead, asked him a penetrating question: “Do you want to get well?” Though this lame man truly desired to be healed, he told Jesus that he could not get into the water fast enough when the supposedly healing ripples erupted, and he had no one to help him. He did not realize that humanity’s source of hope and healing—Jesus—stood right before him.

Though the lame man did not recognize Jesus or ask for healing, Jesus challenged him to take action and risk obedience. The Lord issued three commands: “Get up”— Jesus’ words communicated His healing power to legs that had not borne weight for 38 years; “Pick up your mat”—Jesus offering him the strength to move forward from dependence upon others; and “Walk” —Jesus called him to step beyond where he had been stuck. This lame man could choose a new life with all the responsibilities of himself then. Listening to, trusting and obeying Jesus will change life forever.