John 5:4-9, 14-15
4 for an angel of the Lord went down into the pool at appointed seasons and stirred up the water; the first one to go in after the water was stirred was healed of his disease. 5There was a certain man there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7The invalid answered, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am coming [to get into it myself], someone else steps down ahead of me.” 8Jesus said to him, “Get up; pick up your pallet and walk.” 9Immediately the man was healed and recovered his strength, and picked up his pallet and walked.
14Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” 15The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
A few years ago I wrote a devotional based on John 5 (which is listed as Will You Be Made Whole in the devotional section on my site: https://www.elizavmateo.com/post/will-you-be-made-whole) and I spoke about the man who was ill by the pool of Bethesda. Upon reading this scripture, something I never saw before hit me just last week as I was listening and reading the Holy Bible. What I never noticed was this man who was ill (the condition of his illness was never stated by Jesus, just that he was ill) was identified in scripture (in the Amplified Version) as an invalid. Now, an invalid is a person who was made weak. I had to ask myself this question, “What or who made this man so weak that he struggled to get into the pool?”
At first, I clearly saw this man having a battle in his mind but as I continued to read and study, I received another revelation and noticed something very interesting—although Jesus told him to GET UP and take his mat, the man who became healed and strengthened didn’t profess to the Jews that it was Jesus who healed him, only that He was "A Man", The Jews seemed to only address the man's labor in picking up his mat. In no way do we see they noticed he was even ill! Typically, when Jesus performs healing, we see people are asking who healed them but in this case it was different. Is it possible, because they couldn't physically see the healing, it was an inner healing (mental, emotional, heartfelt, and/or spiritual healing) that took place? Could it be these people were already familiar with this man? Questions linger in my mind because this very man was found in the temple by Jesus. When Jesus found him He told this man, “See, you are well! Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Could it be possible that this man who was found at the pool regularly met in the temple entertaining foolishness--just hanging around to gossip and backbite with people in the church? Could it be, he was a man who, due to toxic relationships, became sick or ill? I find it interesting when you are around something long enough, you begin to talk, walk, smell and look like it.
Beware of the company you keep. Sometimes we can be like that invalid man—God rescues us and yet, He will find us at the same place which we’ve become infected, sick or ill. Some people would rather be bitter than be better. Everybody is not your friend. There are some who are sent on assignment to distract you and cause you to become sick and weak and would leave you by the side of the pool of Bethesda to fend for yourself. Are the people you associate with ones who will pray for you or talk about you? Chances are if they are talking about others behind their back, they are also talking about you the moment you turn your back as well.
After Jesus told the man to stop sinning or something worse will happen, it’s interesting that the man went and told the Jews it was Jesus who healed him. Hmmm. So, you mean to tell me when he was healed he didn’t know it was Jesus but now, since Jesus called him out he had enough sense to tell the Jews who it was who healed him? I can only imagine that the man in John 5 probably was so familiar with his surroundings or people, it wasn’t until he was called out by Jesus he walked away from the familiar. Could it be that the reality of going back to the state he was in brought fear into his heart and mind; remembering how he was left on the side as an invalid man, who didn’t have the strength to move past his mental condition. God always sends reminders. Don't ever forget what He has brought you out of!
One thing we know for sure was, this man met Jesus at the appointed time. There was something that needed to change in this man’s life and Jesus met him right where he was and didn’t allow the man’s excuses to get in the way. After all, who told the man he couldn’t get into the waters which were stirred? When God shows up, it’s not a pick and choose battle—everyone is invited to drink from His well of living water to be refreshed and renewed. Everyone is invited to touch the hem of His garment and be healed. Everyone is invited to lay before Him and rest. There's an appointed time for all of us.
To wrap this up, what I received from this is, step away from the familiar. Don’t entertain conversations or people who talk more and pray less. Assess your environments. Are people complaining or having hidden conversations about others? These things will paralyze you to the point that it makes you sick and unable to move. Regain your strength, learn to stop it in its tracks and kick the dust off your feet. Sometimes, like Jesus told the man to stop sinning or something worse will come upon him, others who put their mouth on other people, especially GOD’S people, need to be called out in love. If they choose to not listen, go about your way and keep it moving. One thing you cannot give people is a want to--tell the truth and keep it moving. Keep your hands clean and move on. Don’t look back.
Just. Be. About. Your. Fathers. Business!
Be better, not bitter. Jesus heals and sets us free—it’s our job to stay healthy and to stay free.
Be Blessed,
Eliza Victoria
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