The Gospel of John 5:1-6 When God Says...I Say, AMEN!

When God Says …

“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?” (John 5:1-6 KJV)

These passages show us of a man who was ill for thirty-eight years. He's been waiting along with many, who suffered from many types of ailments, for the opportunity to be healed by stepping first in a pool called Bethesda (meaning the house of mercy or the flowing water) when the water stirs. By tradition, whoever steps first would be made whole. Thirty-eight years of this man's sufferings brought to note the years spent by the Israelites in the wilderness as punishment for their disobedience and unbelief. It took them long to enter the promised land, which was only a three weeks walk from Egypt (Deuteronomy 2:14).

This man represents many of us in this world. Due to unbelief many take time to ask. They choose to wander and wallow in their kind of limbo, a wilderness full of complaints and murmurs which hinder their entry to the promise land of blessings, healing and wholeness. But the Lord who is full of grace, out of His love came. The sheep gate has 'five' (which is the number of grace) porches. Grace, in the person of Christ Jesus, came through the gate of grace. As He saw this man in need, He saw us all too, in our state of need. He came with the abundant supply of His grace, as He did with this man, He is asking us, "Do you want to get well?" (John 5:6b NIV) With that, He assures us in His Words: ““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.” (Matthew 7:7-8 ESV)

And I say, AMEN!

Daily reflections by:

F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries

(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)

Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477

Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.