Helping the Helpless
Reading for Wednesday, March 3
John 5: 1-18
Are we like the man lying at the Pool of Bethesda, that had been ill for thirty-eight years? There were many sick, blind, and lame people around the pool who wished to be healed but Jesus went to the man who couldn’t help himself. Jesus asked him “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir”, the sick man said, “For I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up….” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat, and walk!” The man was healed immediately and picked up his mat and walked. The Jewish leaders were angry because this had taken place on the Sabbath and they wanted to know who had healed him and told him to carry his mat. Later Jesus found the man in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Instead of being in awe of the miracle that Jesus had performed, they were more determined than ever to kill him because he had worked on the Sabbath.
The man at the Pool of Bethesda (a name given to many hospitals today meaning “House of Mercy”) thought his situation was hopeless. Do we ever feel that way? Are we following Jesus lead by going out and helping the helpless? We may need to examine our hearts – are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those that may not be like us?
Jesus quietly went about his work of healing the beggar – we too should go out and quietly help the helpless.
Kristy Carey
Reading for Wednesday, March 3
John 5: 1-18
Are we like the man lying at the Pool of Bethesda, that had been ill for thirty-eight years? There were many sick, blind, and lame people around the pool who wished to be healed but Jesus went to the man who couldn’t help himself. Jesus asked him “Would you like to get well?” “I can’t, sir”, the sick man said, “For I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up….” Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your sleeping mat, and walk!” The man was healed immediately and picked up his mat and walked. The Jewish leaders were angry because this had taken place on the Sabbath and they wanted to know who had healed him and told him to carry his mat. Later Jesus found the man in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” Instead of being in awe of the miracle that Jesus had performed, they were more determined than ever to kill him because he had worked on the Sabbath.
The man at the Pool of Bethesda (a name given to many hospitals today meaning “House of Mercy”) thought his situation was hopeless. Do we ever feel that way? Are we following Jesus lead by going out and helping the helpless? We may need to examine our hearts – are we willing to step out of our comfort zone and reach out to those that may not be like us?
Jesus quietly went about his work of healing the beggar – we too should go out and quietly help the helpless.
Kristy Carey