So Close But Yet So Far

Scripture Reference John 5: 1-8

1After these things there wasa feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered,[waiting for the moving of the waters; 4for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" 7The 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." 8Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk."

This passage teaches what misery sin brought into the world. This man endured pain and infirmity for thirty-eight years. He had witnessed others being healed at the waters of Bethesda, but for him there had been no healing. Friendless, helpless, and hopeless, he lay near the wonder-working waters, but derived no benefit from them. Year after year passed away and left him still uncured. No relief or change for the better seemed likely to come, except from the grave.

At certain seasons the waters of this pool were agitated, and it was commonly believed that this was the result of supernatural power. Whoever stepped into the water first after the troubling of the pool would be healed of whatever disease he had. Hundreds of suffers visited the place; but so great was the crowd when the water was troubled that they rushed forward, trampling underfoot men, women and children, weaker than themselves. Many could not get near the pool. There were porches that surround the pool where some spent the night, creeping to the edge of the pool day after day, in vain hope of relief.

Alone and friendless, feeling that he was shut out from God’s mercy; the sufferer had passed long years of misery. At the moment the water was troubled, he had no one to help him into the pool. He had seen the rippling of the water, but had never been able to get farther than the edge of the pool. Others stronger than he would plunge in before him. He could not contend successfully with the selfish scrambling crowd.

The sick man was lying by the pool lifting his head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over him and the words “Wilt thou be made whole?” Hope came to his heart. . Jesus does not ask the sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply says “Rise, take up they bed and walk.” The man's faith however takes hold of his words and every nerve and muscle trills with life.

Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied. There are many who realize their helplessness and who long for that spiritual life which will bring them in to harmony with God; “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from this body of death? (Rom. 7:24)” Look up! the Savior is there freely offering the purchase of His blood, saying with tenderness and pity, “Do you wish to get well? (Verse 6)”

Believe His word and it will be fulfilled. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. He will impart life to the soul that is “dead in trespass, (Eph.2:1)”. He will set the captive free that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sins.

No matter how far you may think you are from your healing, God is not far away He is right there standing over you, with love and compassion; biding you to arise in health and peace.

By: Lillie Jackson and B. Stevenson