John 5:1-15
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. If you haven’t read the Introduction to John’s Gospel, read it here.
Read John 5:1-15 imagining you are an observer watching the story unfold.
The pool of Bethesda was located at one of the city gates of Jerusalem, and the Israelites believed that the pool was a place of healing. According to the story, an angel would come from time to time to stir the water and the first person to enter the pool when the water bubbled up would be healed.
Among the crowds of sick people around the pool, Jesus takes notice of one. The lame man obviously doesn’t know who Jesus is, and his answer to Jesus’ question underscores the sadness of his life situation. He is alone in his pain without friends or family to help him.
Stop for a moment and imagine that you are in a crowd of people feeling alone because of some painful circumstance in your life. Sit with this image for a while and notice the emotions that arise in you.
Now imagine that Jesus notices you among all the others. Imagine him asking you the question he asks the man by the pool of Bethesda. “Would you like to get well?” How do you answer?
Our response to Jesus’ question reveals much about our faith in Jesus. What does your answer say about your faith?
Read John 5:1-15 again, and keep in mind that the name of the pool, “Bethesda,” can either mean “house of mercy” or “house of shame” in Hebrew.
The lame man’s short encounter with Jesus left him physically healed, but evidently there was more going on than just physical sickness. When Jesus finds the man in the temple, he tells him to “stop sinning.” We aren’t told what the man’s sin is, but it is evidently destructive enough that it will render him worse off than before if he continues in it. He has a choice to make. He can either continue in his destructive sin and live in shame, or he can yield to the mercy of Jesus and be whole inside and out.
Take some time to sit quietly in the presence of Jesus. Consider asking him to point out any habits, attitudes or actions that are keeping you from complete health - physically, emotionally or spiritually.
If anything comes to mind, confess it honestly to Jesus recognizing that he is full of mercy. If thoughts of condemnation come, return to the merciful gaze of Jesus and let the thoughts drift away.
Jesus is ready and eager to forgive you and make you whole. There may be some kind of action you need to take in response to his mercy. Take a moment to write down what you sense Jesus prompting you to do differently, and then today, stand up, pick up your mat and walk in a new direction.
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
