The Man Beside the Pool

John 5: 6-11

6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, 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. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, 10 and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.” 11 But he replied, “The man who made me well said to me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’ ”

The pool that the sick man was lying near was believed to have healing properties.   It was believed that the first people to enter the waters when it began bubbling would regain their health.  The man lying by the pool wanted to get into the healing water of the pool but had no one to help him. 

Jesus asked him an important question, “Do you want to get well?  Instead of answering the question, the man explained the problem that was preventing him from getting into the pool.  I think the man thought that the answer to Jesus’ question was obvious.  He was laying beside a healing pool, yet he was not able to avail himself of its healing properties and no one would help him.  Jesus saw his frustration and his sincere desire to be made well and he healed him.

Do you want to get well?  This is the question we all have to answer.   If we say yes, how badly do we desire it?  Are we willing to do the things necessary to be healed? 

Are we willing to take up our mats and walk?

May the love of Christ be with you,

Rev. Eric Lanier (Retired)