Jesus was back in Jerusalem . Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool , in Hebrew called Bethesda , with five alcoves . Hundreds of sick people — blind , crippled , paralyzed — were in these alcoves . One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years . When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there , he said , “ Do you want to get well ?”
he sick man said , “ Sir , when the water is stirred , I don ’ t have anybody to put me in the pool . By the time I get there , somebody else is already in .”
esus said , “ Get up , take your bedroll , start walking .” The man was healed on the spot . He picked up his bedroll and walked off . John 5:1-11
S oon another Feast came around and
Jesus was back in Jerusalem . Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool , in Hebrew called Bethesda , with five alcoves . Hundreds of sick people — blind , crippled , paralyzed — were in these alcoves . One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years . When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there , he said , “ Do you want to get well ?”
T
he sick man said , “ Sir , when the water is stirred , I don ’ t have anybody to put me in the pool . By the time I get there , somebody else is already in .”
J
esus said , “ Get up , take your bedroll , start walking .” The man was healed on the spot . He picked up his bedroll and walked off . John 5:1-11
What is it that stops you ? What is it that stops you from trying something new ? What is it that trips you up ? What is it that seems to have a death grip on you ?
There is a guy in the Bible who , for
38 years , was unable to walk or move easily . He was at a pool called Bethesda . In Jesus ’ day the locals believed when the waters got stirred up , the first person into the pool would be healed from whatever ailed them .
Who ’ s Child
The challenge for this couldn ’ t move fast e couldn ’ t get into the experience the healing – there was always som There was nothing this g for himself . I think , by encountered Jesus , he w feeling hopeless . Its pos resigned himself to a sad life .
And then Jesus … Jesu hears this guy ’ s sto a word , the grace of G man .
So back to the questio the start – what is it th back ? For some its he money ; others fear or an drugs or alcohol ; could b image ; could be almost a is robbing your life . Being Jesus doesn ’ t mean thin to be easy . What it does are not alone and the hope . Jesus wants us to h of hope and joy . The chu help . Call on us so we c see the hope .