John 5:1-9

Jesus attended a Jewish feast in Jerusalem. The feast is not named, but it was probably one of the three “feasts of obligations” – the Passover, the Feast of Tabernacles, or Pentecost. These were called “feasts of obligations” because every male Jew who lived within twenty miles of Jerusalem was required by law to attend.

Vs. 2-4

Bethesda = “House of Mercy.” The pool, Bethesda, was a familiar site for the aged, ill, or their families. The pool had a unique reputation. An angel would come every so often and trouble the waters. When that happened, the first to get into the water would be healed. For this reason, it attracted sick people of Jerusalem. And because the first to get in the water would be healed, only the least sick would be healed. Those who were more disabled would never have a chance. The outcome was controlled by their works – not by grace.

Can you picture it?

• Five porches
• Sick people everywhere (Commentaries say approximately 3,000 people)
• Everyone watching the water, watching each other, and fighting/racing/trying to get to the water first

Too often, we have a picture when we come to church – that “I am a sick person sitting among people with no problems.” We also think that only the least sick will receive a touch from God. What we need to see is that instead of perfect people, we are all people with needs. The sicknesses are different and at different extremes. But we are not here to watch each other. We are ALL here needing a touch from above.