It says that after this (healing the nobleman's son), there was a feast of the Jews.  And Jesus went to Jerusalem.

This seems like another one of those verses that just gives details, for context.

It says that there is a pool, called Bethesda, by the sheep market in Jerusalem.  And this pool has five porches.

Again, this seems like more information, just to give us context.

It says that there was a large number of people, lying on the porches.  These people were helpless, having various issues, like being blind, lame, or having atrophied limbs.  And these helpless people were lying there, waiting for the water of the pool to move.

It seems like a large group of desperate people, waiting here as a last resort.

It says that, there was a time, when an angel went into the pool and disturbed the water.  And the first person to step into the water, after the water was disturbed, was completely healed of whatever disease they had.

It makes this statement, as a matter of fact.  It's not like it is some legend that may or may not be true.  So it makes it sound like these people had a legitimate reason for waiting by the pool.

This makes me wonder ... is there any writing in the Old Testament, where the people of Israel are told to come to the temple or, in some other way, come to God to be healed?  I have to admit that I don't know of any.

Shouldn't it be obvious, that we should come to God, no matter what problems we have?

Lord Jesus, remind us that we can, and should, always come to you, with any problem or any worry.

It says that there was a man there, at the pool, who had some illness or disability; and he had had it for 38 years.

So here is this guy.  He is waiting near the pool, with all these other people.  I would guess that the last thing he expects is for someone to walk up and heal him.

This means that God allowed this man to get ill, or disabled.  And God left him that way for 38 years.  God could have healed the man at any time.  It certainly makes you wonder ... why?  If we believe God, when he says that he loves us, then there must have been some important reason for God to do that to the man.

It says that Jesus saw the man lying there.  And Jesus knew that the man had been in his current state for a long time.  When Jesus saw the man, Jesus said to him, "Do you wish to be made whole?"

It says that Jesus saw the guy lying there.  Could it be that Jesus was looking for this one guy?

So Jesus knows that the guy has been in this condition for a long time.  And Jesus asks him if he wants to be healed.  I almost expect the guy to react with incredulity, and ask, "Are you serious?"  Jesus' question almost seems callous, or ridiculous, in a way.  And it makes me think, does it matter what the guy says?  Would you not heal the man, anyway, no matter what he answers?  And since this is Jesus, it makes me think again.  Maybe the answer does matter.  Evidently Jesus thinks that this guy's desires are important.  Jesus seems to be calling this guy back to examine his desires.  What does the man really want?  Has he lost all desire for anything?  Has he lost all hope, even?

Lord Jesus, help me never to lose hope.  Help me to always know my desires, and keep them inline with your will and your desires for my life.

It says that the helpless man answered Jesus, saying that, even when the water is disturbed, he has no one to put him into the pool; that, while he is still coming to the pool, someone else steps down into the pool before him.

So, the man answered Jesus.  He did not ignore Jesus, like it was a ridiculous question.

It does not say whether he answered immediately, or if there was a pause to wonder 'what kind of question is this', or whether he was surprised or felt insulted.  We don't know what kind of expression he had on his face.  We only know what he said.

It's like he is saying, "it does not matter what I want, there is no way for me to be first into the pool."   The statement makes it sound like he felt that it was a hopeless situation.  And the fact that he was still there, at the pool, makes it appear as though he felt like he had no other choice.

Lord Jesus, let me always know that things are never hopeless.  I can always come to you, and that you will hear me when I pray.

It says that Jesus said to the man, get up, pick up your bed, and walk.

Jesus doesn't tell the man ... very carefully stand up, and hold my hand while you try to take a few steps.  It's just straight out, no hesitation, right now ... he seems to tell the guy, get up, and after you get up, lean back over and pick up your bedding from the ground, and then, while carrying your bed, walk home.

Jesus also doesn't talk to the man about his situation and his feelings of helplessness and hopelessness.  Jesus goes straight to the solution of the man's physical ailment.

Also, Jesus doesn't lay his hands on the man, or touch him in any way.  And he doesn't say "be healed" or anything in regards to healing the man.  He just tells the man what to do.

Father in heaven, thank you for your healing power.

It says that, immediately, as soon as Jesus told the man to get up and walk, the man was healed, and the man picked up his bed, and he walked.  And it says that the day, when this happened, was the sabbath day.

So, first, verse 3 tells us that there are a lot of sick people gathered around this pool.  And it seems very likely that Jesus had to step around some (or many) of these other people, to get to this particular man.  It is peculiar.  But it sure seems like God was very selective when he chose this man to be healed.  And here at this pool, Jesus heals one man, and only one.  He does not heal a few or a dozen; and he certainly does not heal everyone there.  In fact, almost every healing that I can remember, Jesus healed one person.  And in almost every case, he talked to the person, face to face.  So does that mean that relating to the person is more important than their healing?

The way he passes by some people, and heals others, affects so many people; there seems to be something important to learn from this.

From what it says here, even after years of being in that state, when Jesus tells him to get up and walk, the man doesn't seem to hesitate.  He gets up, picks up his bed, and he walks.  He does not falter, or stagger, or act weak or unbalanced.  He did not need to hold onto anything.  The man was stable enough to pick up his bed, without falling down, and walk while carrying his bed.  This was a very complete healing.

There seems to be something significant about this day being the sabbath.  It looks like the next verse will shed some light on the significance.

Father in heaven, you are sovereign.  You are in control of everything.  And you are trustworthy.  Give me the faith to trust you, even when you choose to heal one person, and not others; even if it is me who is not being healed.

It says that the Jews said to the man that was cured, It is the sabbath day; it is illegal for you to carry your bed.

It does not say that it was priests or Levites.  It was just some Jews.  So, it would appear that the sabbath was important, or at least significant, to the common Jew, or at least a good number of them.  It was at least significant enough that they would take the time to confront someone on the street who appeared to be violating the sabbath.

And yet, Jesus told the man to pick up the bed and carry it.  So evidently, the Jews had it wrong.  It was just fine for him to carry the bed; it was far from illegal for him to do so.

It makes me wonder ... how many things do we have wrong.  What are we calling wrong, that is perfectly fine.  And what do we think is OK, that Jesus considers unlawful.

Lord, show us the truth.  Protect us from being deceived, and getting things backwards.  Open our eyes so we can see good as good, and evil as evil.

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