Insights from John 5: The Pool of Bethesda and Healing

Insights from John 5: The Pool of Bethesda and Healing

September 29

Today, I delved into my daily readings in John 5, where Jesus encountered a man crippled for 38 years at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-9). The name "Pool of Bethesda" signifies "House of Mercy" or "Living Water."

Approaching the crippled man, Jesus asked, "What do you want? Do you want to be healed?" The man responded, "Whenever I attempt to reach the pool after the stirring of the water by the angel, someone else enters before me." Yet, Jesus commanded him, "Take up your bed and walk," the man obeyed, and was healed (John 5:6-8). This interaction, in my here and now application, says to me that Jesus is the Living Water, the Pool of Bethesda, and the House of Mercy. He is the Resurrection and the Life, the First and the Last (John 5:6-8).

The man mentioned that an angel would stir the Living Water, symbolizing, to me, the Holy Spirit dwelling within us—Jesus in us, the Father in us. By stirring the Living Water (use our prayer language), we access the Pool of Bethesda, leading to inner healing, not just physical healing, as exemplified by the man made whole. Jesus instructed the man to sin no more, suggesting a connection between his condition and sin, possibly involving demons. I see this as a reference back to the Holy Spirit's presence, described in Genesis 1 as hovering over the water. We follow a similar pattern: stirring the Living Water within us, entering the heart of the Father, speaking God's Word (Jesus), and invoking healing (John 5:14; Genesis 1:2).

Jesus is also the House of Bread, signifying spiritual nourishment. By partaking in the living water (water turned into wine) and bread, we can experience healing and deliverance for our souls and bodies (John 6:35) - an allusion to communion. We are created in God's image, so we can imagine ourselves performing the Father's work—salvation, healing, casting out demons, and more. We must will it, choose it, stir the water (prayer language), speak, and declare. These actions align with God's creation process, where He stirred (Holy Spirit moving over the face of the water), spoke, called, divided, and rested (Genesis 1).

Jesus, as our example, did nothing unless He saw the Father do it. We, in Christ, follow suit. Healing is one aspect of this work, and we see it happening in the lives of others as we pray for others and speak healing over them (John 5:19). Nothing is too hard for God; we simply need to believe. Our faith is rooted in Christ, and as we draw near to Him, He casts out unbelief. Our words carry power, just as God's Word spoke creation into existence (Mark 9:23; Hebrews 11:6).

In times of trouble, we can seek refuge in the House of Mercy (Pool of Bethesda) where we find peace, joy, and rest (Isaiah 30:15), knowing that we are covered by the Almighty (Psalm 91:1-2). By believing in Jesus, we conquer fear, illness, and death (John 14:1; 1 Corinthians 15:55-57). We release the works of God—healing, casting out demons, speaking in tongues, raising the dead—by resting in Him. In our rest (prayer language- 1 Corinthians 14:21, Isaiah 28:11,12) we labor to enter God's rest (Hebrews 4:9-11, Isaiah 30:15).

Ultimately, we must embrace the power of a three-fold cord, represented by the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and we take hold of this spiritual rope — where we involve ourselves in the fourth man symbolism ( Daniel 3:19-27). Our alignment with God's divine plan takes us into a new dimension, where healing, provision, protection, and miracles abound. This is all there for whosoever will. Take the step into the living water set before us!