There were pools for water in the city of Jerusalem, made with a stone wall around, some with steps down to the water, and porches beside to shade from the heat. The water came through tunnels from springs in the hills, plenty for the needs of the people and for the animals. Some of the pools are still used there, though the stones and porches are broken.
Place of Mercy
One pool was near the market or gate where sheep were brought into the city and much water was needed. This pool was named Bethesda, “the place of running water,” so the water was always fresh; the name also meant “the place of mercy”, for it was like God’s kindness or mercy, fresh and free.
It is told that at a certain time an angel came to that pool and troubled, or disturbed, the water. The first crippled or sick person who stepped into the water was made well. At that time many sick or lame persons came or were brought there, each to try to be the first to step in the pool after it was disturbed.
The Lord Jesus was in the city and came by the pool and saw the many sick or crippled people waiting in the porches. Some were lame, some blind. He knew one man lying there had been helpless many years and He said to him, “Wilt thou be made whole?”
The man said, “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.”
He had no friend to help him, and another person not so helpless could go first. Then he found there was One to help him, greater even than an angel. Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”
At that command of Jesus the man was instantly well. He rose, took up his bed, which would be a thick mat or blanket, and walked. How surprised he must have been to be made well so quickly! But he did not then know who it was that had made him well. Jesus passed on in the crowd going to the temple.
It was God’s will at that time to send an angel to heal one sick person, because of His great kindness. He had said the people of Israel should have no sickness if they would obey His words to them. But they had not obeyed (Deut. 7:1515And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee. (Deuteronomy 7:15)).
Looking to God for Help
Those sick and lame people lying helpless in the porches at the pool, proved God’s ways were not kept. Yet He would show mercy, which means undeserved kindness. It was not complete, for if the angel came, only one was cured. That was with difficulty, since it was hard for such ones to get into the water. But it would make them know how helpless they were, and teach them to look to God for help.
When Jesus healed the man it was very different; the man did not first take even one step; all he did was to confess to Jesus that he was entirely helpless, and He made him well.
We are helpless to be free from our sins, but the word now is to all, “Through His (Jesus’) name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:4343To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. (Acts 10:43)).
Further Meditation:
1. Why couldn’t the man get well?
2. What other forms of sickness did the Lord heal in this book of John?
3. If you have been enjoying the subject of mercy in this chapter you might also enjoy All of Grace by C. H. Spurgeon. The man in this chapter could do nothing for himself and depended completely on the Lord to work. The Lord working when man can’t is central to the theme of grace.