John 5: 1-9
7 The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.”8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
There are quite a few lessons about the story of this man at the pool of Bethesda. The bible records the man has been sick for 38 years; now we don’t know if he has been at this pool since the whole of 38 years of his sickness –the bible did not make that clear. However, what is clear is that 38 years of ill health is a pretty long time, and this man had probably hit his highest level of frustration!
The frustration had so eaten him up that the sick man could not sustain a threaded dialogue with Jesus. When Jesus asked if he wants to be made whole, the answer that followed did not bear any direct relevance to the question asked. A deep level of discouragement and frustration was evident as he replied “Sir I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me”.
However, I couldn’t help but observe the perseverance that shined through his frustration, discouragement, etc. because he remained at the pool. It takes a lot to hang in there when the situation seems hopeless, when all the odds are against you, or when you’ve been in that situation a really long time with no change year in year out. I am not sure why he still remained there; but I want to believe it was an act of strong will and share determination – hanging in there with all of his might.
This man would have witnessed many miracles at the pool; yet he was not one of the people healed – he was just a spectator. Have you ever felt the pain of waiting for a specific breakthrough that seems not to be forth coming, but everyone around you is receiving their miracles? Have you ever experienced the negative emotions that comes with such a situation? This man felt all of this, but he remained at the pool!
May be you are faced with a situation that is overwhelmingly frustrating. You say like this sick man “I have no man to help me”. It’s been going on for a pretty long time; right now it seems there is no way out, and you’re going under. Friends would you please hang in there a little bit longer. Your God, helper, and deliverer is on HIS way and would soon appear. When HE stepped in for this sick man, HE broke protocols for him. At best, the sick man expected Jesus to get him into the pool. But Jesus, the healer Himself, Jehovah Jireh (Lord my healer) by-passed the pool and brought the healing directly to this man.
Hold on a little bit longer because this same Jesus is about to show up for you. When HE comes, HE will not follow conventions; HE will break protocols for you. He will visit your case file, and bring you from the end of the line to the front; HE will break down barriers and limitations. HE will establish a new rule in your favor, and deliver you from that pain that has plagued your life till now.
Don’t give up; hold on a little bit longer, for your savior will soon appear!