The city of Jerusalem has many pools and springs around it which facilitated the myriad washings that the Jews were famous for, and one such pool was called the pool of Bethesda. Bethesda means "House of Mercy" and it was here that multitudes of sick were assembled; the blind, the lame, the atrophied all waiting to take advantage of the alleged healing powers of the water.

A popular legend had it that an angel came from heaven and would stir the water, and anyone who thus entered the water immediately afterwards was healed. In an age when people would listen to legend and no scientific inquiries would be involved, many would believe the superstition more than examining what was actually happening. It may be some spring was feeding the pool, and minerals of some sort would help in aiding and curing the sick. Perhaps some of those who were thus healed had mental issues, and just dipping in the water may have healed their disease.

A man that had been lame thirty eight years was there, and unaided, friendless, with no one to help him, he waited for the opportunity to step down after the stirring of the water. He had little hope, as it is obvious the man was stricken not only with a disease, but his will was stricken as well. How often do we find people today that are friendless and unaided because of some attitude they might have, or because of some sin they may be engaged in? We must do all we can to present hope to all we come into contact with and help them in every way we can.

When Jesus confronted him he asked if he wanted to be made well. Sometimes, because one is in the difficulties so long, they lose hope and grow accustomed to living that way. Some are lost in sin and love being there, and do not want anything different. It is hard for us to imagine such, but such is often the case. The lame man probably thought that perhaps Jesus would help him in getting down into the water.

Jesus does not wait for the stirring of the water -- he commands the man "Rise, take up your bed, and walk." Jesus said it with such authority that the man could not disobey. Before the man can say thank you or acknowledge what had been done, Jesus then leaves. He does not draw attention to himself. Jesus did not do miracles as sensational things to draw attention to himself, but to the Father. He tells us that we must do the same thing -- Matthew 5:13-16.

Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath day, and the Jews were zealous in keeping the Sabbath day as a day of rest. In Numbers 15:32-36 a man was stoned for gathering sticks on the Sabbath day; in Jeremiah 17:21-22 God had said, " . . . and bear no burden on the Sabbath day, . . . nor carry a burden out of your houses on the Sabbath day, nor do any work, but hallow the Sabbath day, . . ." NKJV Myriads of traditions were made up about what constituted "bearing a burden" -- some even argued that wearing a shoe that had a nail in it was bearing a burden, so most would wear shoes with no nails. Carrying a bed would violate their tradition of "bearing a burden," and with no concern or care about the man being healed they challenged him for doing just that.

The lame man argued that the one who had made him well commanded he should take up his bed and walk. Of course, they wanted to know who would thus command such a flagrant violation of the law (traditions). He did not know, but when he did find out he went and told Jewish authorities; perhaps seeking protection from the Jewish anger at the expense of Jesus. Now the Jews began to persecute (hunt) Jesus.
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