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John 5:1-14 says, “1 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.”

The Feast of the Jews just happens to be the Passover. The pool is called Bethesda, which means in Hebrew, “The House of Mercy.” This pool was located next to the sheep market. Where sheep was purchased for sin offerings. There are five porches leading down into the water. It must have been a beautiful sight to behold. However, this place wasn’t a tourist attraction or a medical facility. It was here because of God’s Mercy and Love for his own people. 

This scripture says that a place called “House of Mercy” (Bethesda), had five porches, five stands for Grace. That during the Passover an Angel would stir the water and people who entered into the water were healed. All of this took place before Jesus came onto the scene. Yet, it all points to Jesus as the Lamb of God, our Deliverer and Healer.

Scriptures says, “5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. 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 passed by many of unhealed bodies to get to this one man.  

Jesus asked him if he wanted to be made whole? Why would Jesus asked the obvious question? If we look closer Jesus isn’t just asking the man if he wants to be physical healed. Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be whole. 6 verse Jesus said, “Wilt thou be made whole?” People can be healed of an infirmity and still not be whole.

To be whole means to restore or made complete. Many people want the immediate physical pain gone. We want our limbs intact. But many don’t want let go of bitterness, resentment, or unforgiveness. Do we really want to be whole? Are we willing to let go of our pet sins? Are we willing to forgive and released those who have hurt us, so our Lord can release and heal us? We can be healed in our body, and still be an emotional wreck or mentally tormented.

Jesus is wanting to deal with more than a physical manifestation. The root cause of this man’s decaying health isn’t physical, but spiritual. This is one reason why many don’t get healed today. Many of people in this pool was healed physically, but other including this man was not healed. For thirty-eight years he went through the motions, did what he was expected of him, but was not healed.

“7 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.”

The man never answered Jesus question. Jesus asked, if he wanted to be made whole. The man did not say yes, but gave excuses of why he isn’t healed.

He said; “I have no man to put me in the water, also other step down before me keeping me from entering in.” According to this man, its everyone else’s fault he isn’t healed.

What I question is if he cannot get into the pool by himself how did he get there in the first place? Somebody had to bring him. Year after year, somebody brought him to the pool.  

It’s so easy to blame others for our problems. To make excuses or allowance for our situation. I hear excuses all the time, even among Christians; It’s my exes fault we are divorced. It’s because of the manager I lost my job, the Pastor is the reason my gifts or calling is not being used. I don’t need to go to Church to love the Lord.

Then you hear the words I forgive them, but I don’t forget or I forgive them but I don’t know why I’m still hurting. If you’re still hurting, it’s because you are not whole. If every time you see or hear about that person or church it opens up old wounds, then you need healing. Your soul needs healing. Jesus said, “Wilt thou be made whole?” 

When Jesus asked him if he wanted to be whole he assumed it was the physical problem, yet there were other issues in his heart. In his mind, he was helpless and nobody cared, people just walk all over him. However, he never even acknowledged the help or kindness that was extended toward him over the years by the one that brought him to the pool called, “House of Mercy”. He only saw the bad. 

It doesn’t take much to feel sorry for yourself. It doesn’t take much to be angry, resentful, or bitter. We can blame the devil, or we can blame others, but the real problem lies with us. The question is do you want to keep making excuses and feeling sorry for yourself or do you want to be made whole?

This man needed more than a physical healing, more than a job, a place to stay, more than a friend. He needed to be made whole. In order to keep his healing, keep a friend, a place to live, a way to support himself he needed to be made whole.

Jesus did say to him in verse eight “to rise, take up your bed, and walk”, why? Why, because this is what the impotent man wanted, but not what he needed. What He needed to understand is why he was in this condition, and how to keep his healing.

“9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.

10 The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, it is the Sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.”

“11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, take up thy bed, and walk.12 Then asked they him, what man is that which said unto thee, take up thy bed, and walk?13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.”

14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

His physical condition was due to his spiritual state, SIN. Jesus warned this man the sin you committed put you in this physical condition, and if you continue in this sin, your physical condition will be worse.

This man’s particular sin brought a curse into his life. The curse was a physical ailment. Jesus was saying to him, “You have been set free, for I have come to set the captives free.” Now that you are free don’t put yourself into that position again, because it will be worse for you.

When the Lord delivered this man from a physical problem he also set him free from spiritual bondage. We can ask for a physical healing, wealth, a spouse, house etc. but God wants us whole so we can continue to be blessed and be a blessing to others.