A Pertinent Question
Rex Yancey
John 5:1-8
Jesus asked some really important questions during his ministry. This is certainly one of them. It is a personal question, a pointed question, a prayerful question, and a practical question.
At first glance it would seem to be a redundant question. Who would not want to get well from an infirmity? The truth is that many people are comfortable with their illnesses. They had rather remain lame than to risk faith in Jesus Christ.
This incident occurred at an unnamed feast. It could have been Passover or Purim. There is no way to know for sure. It occurred near the sheepgate located in the Northeast area of the temple. This is where the unblemished animals were brought for sacrifice.
The pool was a large trapezoid, 165 by 120 and 315 feet long. Archeologists discovered it in 1871. There were a multitude of sick folks who were brought to this pool from time to time. It was equivalent to nursing homes today. The underground springs and the periodic bubbling of the waters led to the belief that angels stirred the waters and the water had curative powers.
Needless to say, it was filled with the most desperate people in the area. The sheep were without blemish and the people were some of the most blemished of society.
As Jesus made his way through that mass of pitiful people his attention focused on one man who had been lame and helpless for 38 years of his life and he asked him this question, "Do you wish to get well?"
In the mystery of the Divine perogative Jesus only healed one person out of this multitude. Why? The second thing is that the purpose of Jesus is to make man whole, not necessarily physically well.
Helen Keller said, "I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God." God is more concerned with spiritual welfare than physical welfare, and character more than comfort. Sometimes physical adversity is necessary to m ...
Rex Yancey
John 5:1-8
Jesus asked some really important questions during his ministry. This is certainly one of them. It is a personal question, a pointed question, a prayerful question, and a practical question.
At first glance it would seem to be a redundant question. Who would not want to get well from an infirmity? The truth is that many people are comfortable with their illnesses. They had rather remain lame than to risk faith in Jesus Christ.
This incident occurred at an unnamed feast. It could have been Passover or Purim. There is no way to know for sure. It occurred near the sheepgate located in the Northeast area of the temple. This is where the unblemished animals were brought for sacrifice.
The pool was a large trapezoid, 165 by 120 and 315 feet long. Archeologists discovered it in 1871. There were a multitude of sick folks who were brought to this pool from time to time. It was equivalent to nursing homes today. The underground springs and the periodic bubbling of the waters led to the belief that angels stirred the waters and the water had curative powers.
Needless to say, it was filled with the most desperate people in the area. The sheep were without blemish and the people were some of the most blemished of society.
As Jesus made his way through that mass of pitiful people his attention focused on one man who had been lame and helpless for 38 years of his life and he asked him this question, "Do you wish to get well?"
In the mystery of the Divine perogative Jesus only healed one person out of this multitude. Why? The second thing is that the purpose of Jesus is to make man whole, not necessarily physically well.
Helen Keller said, "I thank God for my handicaps, for through them, I have found myself, my work, and my God." God is more concerned with spiritual welfare than physical welfare, and character more than comfort. Sometimes physical adversity is necessary to m ...
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