John 5:5-8

John 5:5-8 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. Near Washington D.C. is a large Navy hospital. It is called Bethesda Naval Hospital. It is named after the pool mentioned in our verses for today. The tradition in Jesus’ time was that once a year an angel would come down to the pool of Bethesda and the first sick person into the waters after the angel stirred the waters would be healed of their illness. Many sick people would gather around the pool just waiting for the moment when the angel would move upon the waters. But this poor man did not have anyone to help him to get into the waters first. Every time that the angel moved the waters, someone else would get in before him and they would be healed, not him. This poor man didn’t know that Jesus didn’t need an angel. Jesus could make the impotent man whole any time He wanted to! Jesus was the Son of God and had the power over sickness and disease! And when Jesus told the man to rise, take up your bed and walk, he did! He stood up and, for the first time in 38 years, he was walking! Jesus not only had the power to heal, he loved the man and wanted to heal him. And don’t forget: Jesus still has the power and Jesus loves you!