“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’”      John 5:6

 During the time of Christ, the Pool of Bethesda was one of the most beautiful buildings in Jerusalem.  It had five covered porches where the sick and the lame would come  to wait for the stirring of the water.  Tradition said the first person into the pool after the stirring would be healed of whatever disease he had.  The reality was the pool was built to honor the Greek-Roman god of healing, a healing center to the god, Asclepius. The “troubling of the water” was actually either a spring under the pool or pipes going from the upper pool to the lower pool.  The priests could open the valves and so “trouble” the water.

How cruel to think of the multitude of people, all disabled, trying to outrace each other to the pool when the water was moving!  Only a person less disabled than the others would possibly have a chance!  It was a cruel competition open to one person at a time!   Imagine the moans of disappointment of those who failed to move quickly enough!  The word Bethesda means “house of grace,” but it was hardly that!

Right into this place of superstition and false religion, Jesus goes.  He went right into the place of controversy and on the Sabbath, invading enemy territory.  A man who had been an invalid 38 years was lying there waiting for the movement of the water.  Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be healed?”  What a question!  Jesus wanted to draw him out, to see if he would stop looking at the water and look to the only One who could help him.  He did look to Jesus and was healed that day!  Do you want to be healed?  Jesus came to set the captives free.  Are you ready to be healed of your marriage problems, anger, lusts, addictions, etc.  Is anything too hard for the Lord?  Maybe you have tried on your own power and are waiting to see God do it for you, but too proud to ask!

Recently, on a trip to China, it became evident that Jesus had invaded that country, a land that has been dark for centuries.  For over 2200 years it has been the “Land of the Dragon.”  Prior to that, there was a knowledge of God, worshipped as “Shang Di, the Most High God.” Since the coming of the Communists, Mao Tse Tung attempted to wipe out Christianity.  He destroyed all the Bibles and persecuted and murdered thousands of Christians.  Today, his dead body is on display in a mausoleum, but Christianity is alive and well.  Mao attempted to stamp out all knowledge of God, but was unsuccessful!

Our Chinese tour guide was Gretl, a sweet Christian woman.  She said there is such a lack of love and happiness in most people in China.  They talk about love, peace and harmony but don’t know the Prince of Peace.  People ask Gretl to show them a miracle and they will believe.  She replies, “the greatest miracle is when Jesus saves your soul and turns your life around as He did mine!”  We asked Gretl what attracted her to Christianity.  She said the first thing was the loving acceptance of the believers.  They were different.  They were friendly, kind and loving and this was a real contrast.  As she began to meet with them, she heard the message of the cross.  It was about the love of God and the grace of God.  As she listened, she was overwhelmed with the realization that Jesus died for HER, that He loved HER!  It was at that point, she accepted Him as her Lord and Savior.  She gave Him her whole heart, soul and mind.  That’s what grace does!

“Do you want to be healed?”  Let Jesus invade your life!

Your friend, Jean