THINK TOGETHER.
What would it feel like to need help but no one would help you?
READ TOGETHER.
John 5:2-8. 2Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. 3In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” 7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 8Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” 9And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.
This is one of the saddest and happiest stories in the Bible.
What makes it so sad? Well, John is describing a place in the city of Jerusalem where all the sick and crippled people, the blind and the lame would gather. John calls them invalids. Have you ever heard that word before? An invalid is someone who is unable to do things for themselves physically so they need lots of help. Have you ever known someone like that? Maybe they couldn’t move their legs or their arms. As if this wasn’t sad enough, all the invalids lying around together, there was one man who had been there for 38 years.
Now, the story says that they were lying next to a pool. It was believed that angels would come down and stir up the water in the pool, and when that happened whoever got into the water the fastest would be healed. It’s hard to know if this was real or just a myth, but what makes it sad is that for 38 years nobody helped this poor man to get into the water and at least try to be healed. No one would touch him, carry him, or even offer to help him. Could you imagine needing help and nobody being nice to you for 38 years?
But this is also one of the happiest stories in the Bible. Why do you think I say that? That’s right, because Jesus will heal this man. After 38 years of helplessness and hopelessness, he will finally walk again!
Has Jesus healed you? Maybe you’re not lame, or blind, or sick, but we are all invalids when it comes to getting rid of our selfishness, pride, and sin. We all need Jesus to heal us, don’t we? The question is “Do we want to be healed?” That’s what Jesus asked the man at the pool that day – Do you want to be healed? Jesus didn’t need the magic angel waters in the pool did he? He only needed himself.
And all you need today is Jesus. Jesus can heal you of your inside sickness. He can forgive your sins and change your heart. Then, with Jesus, we can help others who need help. Because no one should ever feel like they are beyond help. Everyone deserves to be loved and cared for, and with Jesus we can do what he did – help those who can’t help themselves.
Because of Jesus we can be forgiven and have a changed heart.
With Jesus we can help those in need.
DO SOMETHING TOGETHER
Yesterday we said to make a plan to visit with or help someone who is sick or in need. How’s that plan going? Have you identified someone who could use your help?
PRAY TOGETHER
Jesus, I know I can never help myself and I need you. Thank you for healing me of all my sin. Amen.
TLICfamily 