The pool at Bethesda is located just
outside the city walls of Jerusalem. The
pool was originally built to supply water for the Temple, but by Jesus' time
this function was superseded by newer water sources. Gradually, this pool acquired a reputation
for healing qualities. Jesus singles one
man out from the many who are gathered there at the pool to be healed. This man acknowledges that he has no one to
put him in the pool, a direct admission that there are no family or friends to
help him. It's difficult for us to imagine how he would survive there very long
by himself without anyone to help him.
This man did not know that it was Jesus talking to him, so he obviously
did not anticipate being healed by Jesus.
Although the man expects to be cured by the waters of the pool, Jesus
bypasses the pool altogether and cures him directly. It is interesting that,
unlike some other cures, Jesus doesn’t link the cured person with his faith;
Jesus just cures him because he needs healing. The cure that happens in this
Gospel passage has a very reassuring and positive message to all of us as we
continue our Lenten journey – the man is cured, he is saved, because he merely
wanted to be well.
The season of Lent is an opportunity
for all of us to grow closer to God and to contemplate the great love God shows
us through Jesus Christ. May our Lenten prayer today be that we may be able to
recognize the opportunities that Jesus extends to us every day & to use the
gifts given to us to bring life and abundance to our daily routine.
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