Ben Jones Supporter Retired Professional Photographer

Perhaps the man after being crippled for 38 years had given up hope of ever being healed, or maybe he was afraid that if he were healed he would not be able to get a job that paid more than begging since he had had no training as a child like other men had had.

It is interesting that there was a "great multitude of sick, blind, lame and paralyzed people waiting for the moving of the water" and here was Jesus walking through this crowd headed for one single man whom He healed. Only one man was healed. Apparently this was the only person in that entire multitude that had enough faith in Jesus to be healed so Jesus healed him. I wonder if several others also had similar faith if Jesus would have healed them too.

May 08 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

The obvious thing is that Christ wants to direct the man’s attention to his need and the fact that it’s never been resolved. And that shows that He cares. Nobody else around there was compassionate. Nobody else was making sure he got in 1st or at all. It was a man who had lived almost 40 years without any mercy from anybody, even people who were miserable themselves. 

But now for the 1st time, here’s Somebody who is concerned about him. This is the compassion of Jesus. A stranger feels sadness for his misfortunes. A stranger? He's spreading a kind conversation with him! Keep in mind that this man by virtue of/because or as a result of his illness over this amount of time is considered a pariah/social outcast (i.e. he was marginalized or treated as insignificant or peripheral) by the Jewish leaders because they would believe this is punishment from God because this is man is bad. Nobody of any importance spiritually would have spoken to this man.

Watch this dramatic scene from the Chosen TV series:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JMj1ggINLe4

June 08 2019 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Dorothy Mathieson Supporter

My opinion is that Jesus knows what we want--but! He knows the person, himself or herself, needs it to be clarified. Example: We do not give others something unless they ask for it. (Unless it is a gift) In other words, Jesus was showing us how it needs to be done. He was being man so He could apply Holy Spirit's help.

May 01 2019 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Leslie Coutinho Supporter

John 5:6: 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?"

Jesus walked through the sheep gate by the pool, which is called Bethesda, and had five porches where a multitude of sick, blind, lame, and withered people were. Lord Jesus came to the man laying on a bed for a long time, knowing his thoughts approached him, and said, “Wilt thou be made whole?” For those who turn to our Lord with repentance and remorse, He pardons you. (Isa 55:7-8) The man turned to the Lord and said, "I have no man to put me in." 

Knowing his weakness, when he was told, “Rise take up thy bed and walk,” the strength and the might of God made him whole again, but he didn't offer any praise to the Lord our God. Knowing he was healed he should have gone to the high priest and offered something for his cleansing as Moses commanded for a testimony (Lk 5:14). For when the Lord found him in the temple, He said to him, "Sin nor more lest a worse thing come unto thee." 

Among all who were by the pool, and being the only one to be healed having no faith, yet he was given a chance to open his mind to understand the mighty works of God for redemption done through our Lord Jesus. For all those who were healed and delivered glorified God the Father, and there were some who followed Jesus for, “Salvation belongs to the Lord,” and this is what Lord Jesus wanted the man to know of whom He asked, “Wilt thou be made whole.” 

John 5:22: For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son.

May 10 2023 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report