This article first appeared on The Christian Broadcasting Network
One thing that makes Jesus so endearing is His mercy. I know it’s what drew me to Him and captivated my heart. As undeserving as I felt, I needed the mercy He offered. I was lost for a long time, and then Jesus found me— just like the man at the pool of Bethesda.
His story has been preached in countless churches by countless pastors, but I want to look at this man through a different lens. Here is someone sitting in what we would call today a homeless shelter. The Bible says it was “The House of Loving Kindness” in Aramaic (John 5:2). It’s name sounds welcoming, especially to the “Hundreds of sick people [who] were lying under the covered porches—the paralyzed, the blind, and the crippled—all of them waiting for their healing” (John 5:3 TPT).
I’ve actually been to this location in Israel. It still stands today. And all these years later, you can easily picture the beauty and serenity of it. With its many alcoves and shaded areas surrounding a deep chasm in the rock, it’s not hard to imagine people lying all around it. But much like our modern day homeless, it was probably messy too.
With people and belongings and bed mats scattered everywhere, I imagine it was a place of sheer disillusionment, as many had been there a very long time in poor conditions.
Enter Jesus.
“One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to get well?’ The disabled man answered, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, someone goes down ahead of me’” (John 5:5-7).
I’ve heard ministers read this story in a tone insinuating the man was whining, but I don’t see it that way. As I read this account, I want to ask, why this man? Why not any of the other hundred people lying at the pool that day?
As Jesus walked through the area, I believe the two made eye contact.
I have no doubt Jesus was moved with compassion as He approached the House of Loving Kindness. He most likely observed everyone intently watching the water— hoping, praying they’d be the first to see the stirring that invited healing. But one man must have been looking elsewhere. And catching his glance, Jesus said, “Do you want to be made well?”
This is where you and I enter the story.
I didn’t know what Jesus had to offer when I came to Him for salvation. I was just so tired of my life. I was desperate for heart healing. The world had made many promises to me but left me empty. And like the man near the pool, I started to look elsewhere.
In fact, like him, I looked up and heard Jesus whisper to my heart, “Do you want to be made well?”
Jesus said, “Stand up! Pick up your sleeping mat and you will walk!” Immediately he stood up– he was healed! (John 5:8 TPT).
One word from the Savior changes everything.
This man received healing when he encountered Jesus face-to-face. This is my story too. In fact, it’s repeatedly been my story, no matter what challenge I find myself walking through. Every time I look to Him, my heart finds what it needs.
So my question for you is, what are you looking at? If you want (need) change in your life, you will have to make eye contact with Jesus— in prayer and in His Word. If desperation was all that was needed for healing, everyone at the pool that day would’ve been healed. Jesus saw their desperation but He was drawn to, and able to help, the one who was looking up.
Be that one today.
