There comes a time when everyone will experience feeling stuck, or paralyze. What do you do in times of stagnation? Some give up. Some count it all a lost. Some people just don't care enough. Some blame others for their condition. In this lesson, I want to share with you what our Lord Jesus think about and what He can do about our Bethesda experience.
Today, we turn our attention to the Gospel of John, chapter 5: 1 - 9. This passage takes us to the Pool of Bethesda, a place of waiting, longing, and, ultimately, miraculous healing. It is here that we witness an extraordinary encounter between Jesus and a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years.
As we reflect on this story, we will explore three central themes: the paralysis of the heart, the transformative power of Jesus' word, and the call to rise and walk in faith.
I. The Paralysis of the Heart
The man at the Pool of Bethesda had been there for thirty-eight years. He was physically paralyzed, but his condition represents something deeper—the paralysis of hope. Imagine his despair as he lay by the water day after day, watching others step into the pool while he remained stuck in his condition.
How often do we find ourselves in similar situations? Perhaps we are paralyzed by fear, doubt, guilt, or circumstances beyond our control. Like the man at Bethesda, we can become resigned to our situations, believing that nothing will ever change.
Yet Jesus’ approach to the man is a reminder that He sees us even when we feel invisible. Jesus knew the man's condition, and He asked a seemingly simple yet profound question: "Wilt thou be made whole?" This question is not about physical healing alone but about the willingness to step into a new life. Are we ready to let go of our excuses and embrace the transformation Jesus offers?
II. The Transformative Power of Jesus' Word
The man responded to Jesus with an explanation of why he couldn’t be healed:
"Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going, another steps down before me."
His focus was on the obstacles—the lack of help, the competition, and his limitations. But Jesus redirected his focus. Without touching him or helping him into the water, Jesus simply said: "Rise, take up your mat, and walk."
In that moment, the Word of God accomplished what decades of waiting could not. The man’s healing was immediate and complete. This miracle demonstrates the power of Jesus’ word to bring life where there was stagnation and freedom where there was bondage.
What obstacles are we focusing on today? Are we looking at our situation or listening to the voice of God? His word has the power to overcome every barrier, both seen and unseen. We must shift our faith from what we think is necessary to what Jesus can do.
III. Rise and Walk in Faith
Jesus’ command to the man was not just to rise but also to "take up your mat and walk." This instruction was significant. The man’s mat was a symbol of his past—a reminder of where he had been. By carrying it, he testified to the transformative power of Jesus.
Similarly, when Jesus heals and restores us, He calls us to move forward in faith. Our past no longer defines us, but it becomes a testimony of His grace. Carrying our "mat" is an act of obedience and a declaration to the world that Christ has made us whole.
Notice also that Jesus’ healing required action on the man’s part. He had to stand, carry his mat, and walk. Faith is not passive; it requires a response. What is Jesus asking you to do today? Perhaps He is calling you to leave behind old habits, forgive someone, or step into a new opportunity. Whatever it is, His command comes with the power to fulfill it.
Conclusion:
This story of the healing at Bethesda reminds us that Jesus is the ultimate source of hope and healing. He sees us in our struggles, speaks life into our circumstances, and calls us to walk in faith.
As we end our lesson, let us ask ourselves: What areas of our lives are paralyzed? Are we willing to let go of excuses and trust in the power of Jesus’ word? And when He calls us to rise, will we respond with faith, carrying our mats as testimonies of His grace?
May we, like the man at Bethesda, hear His voice, obey His command, and walk forward into the fullness of life that He offers.
May the Lord watch between me and you. Amen and God speed.