“Here a great number of people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.” (John 5:3 NIV)
I read this text and the ancient Pool of Bethesda mentally rolodexes into view. It stands out dramatically in my memory of Jerusalem sites: high stone walls with profuse green foliage. Two things struck me when our group surveyed the crumbling pool: the lush greenery grew in high contrast to the Israel’s dry climate – indicating still-existent springs below, and the steeps walls with varying levels did not appear to be handicap-friendly. Of course, it’s hard to reconcile the gap between today’s ruins and yesterday’s glory, but it didn’t seem like an entrance into the pool would have been easy for anyone with a disability.
Today we pass by the multitude in the text and focus in on the one, just as Jesus did that day. Many lay about the deck of the pool, but only one got Jesus’ full attention. Why?
One was willing. One was fed up enough with his situation to a point of transformation. One believed Jesus at His word. One was obedient. One was willing to share his testimony when asked.
We can take this text at face value and believe it to be merely about bodily healing, but I see something more. We can recognize that God values our spiritual man above our physical man. We can see how this encounter with the invalid at Bethesda is a prescription for the salvation of our souls.
Jesus is capable of saving all who want to be saved. He saves the willing. Those that are finally thoroughly disillusioned with sin and ready to abandon it forever. Those who believe Him at His word. Those who are ready to live obedient. Those that are willing to share their story with a lost and dying world.
This scripture encourages us to be the one: we alone get to decide when we are done with sin. When we are ready to be healed and walk whole again. Jesus is faithful to see our hearts and give us instructions to make us spiritually able-bodied again.
“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk. At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” (John 4:8-9 NIV)
But salvation is not the rest of our story. Jesus catches the restored man a second time and gives him further instruction.
“Later, Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”” (John 4:14 NIV)
After salvation, we have an obligation to righteousness. We see this man in the Temple, presumably praising God for his healing. Jesus goes out of His way to find him and warn him – stay on the path of holiness or something worse may happen. What’s worse that paralysis in this life? Damnation in the next.
Once we’ve received the miracle of salvation we partner with the Holy Spirit to work at righteousness. We don’t return to our old life of sin. We live different: honoring the gift God has given in redeeming our stories.
“Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to fulfill His good purpose.” (Philippians 2:12-13 NIV)
This man got up and walked, maybe even learned to run alongside his Savior. What an example for us! Salvation is not the finish line, but the starting blocks. Most of us are going to go a good long ways with Jesus before we break the ticker tape of heaven. Choose today to run with joyful obedience: it is a privilege to live healed by Him.
Lord, we see salvation in the account of the cripple at the Pool of Bethesda. We are reminded of our own first encounters with You. May we be willing. May we be obedient. May our dealings with sin be far behind us. May we gladly share our testimony. May we walk and even run upright with You from here forward. Amen.