Today we are reading John 5. In this great teaching chapter Jesus heals the man at the Pool of Bethesda. “After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.” John 5:1-3, 5-9, 24 ESV It is difficult to imagine how amazing this moment was for the man who was healed! A lifetime of paralysis is reversed! The truth is that this amazing miracle is less than the miracle of salvation which we received by grace through faith in Jesus. This man would some day fail physically and die. Our salvation will last forever and death for us is only a passing moment that leads to paradise. Now, imagine this—in Heaven we will see this man who was healed! May God inspire you to walk in the joy of your healing! Pastor Tim
