October 25 – No Need for Bethsaida

“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you.”  John 5:14 (ESV)

There are times in our lives that we need the healing power of Jesus Christ to attend to what is broken and wounded in our lives. When life becomes too much and we get overwhelmed with circumstances we can’t manage. This is a part of human lives. It is during these times that Jesus finds us trying to fix it ourselves. He knows how long we have suffered and wrestled in our own strength.  So was an invalid who for 38 years had tried to reach the water when it was stirred in the pool called Bethsaida*. Jesus knew all about him and asked if he wanted healing. In desperation he said “YES! But I can’t make by myself.” Jesus heals him instantly. “Get up, take up your bed and walk.” In other words, “Go home, you’ll not need Bethsaida anymore.” The man does so only to be accused of working on Sabbat. He didn’t know who had healed him. He was healed by someone who told him what to do. The man is found again by Jesus, now in the temple. Then he learns who saved him from lameness. Jesus cautioned him to be faithful and not fall back. 

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*The context is John 5:1-17.