In John 5:6-7, Jesus encounters a man who had been an invalid for 38 years, lying by the Pool of Bethesda. Jesus asks him, “Do you want to get well?” The man responds by explaining that he has no one to help him into the pool when the water is stirred, and others always get there before him.
John 5:6-7 (NIV):
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’
‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.'”
Reflection on John 5:6-7
This passage reveals Jesus’ compassion and the deeper spiritual question of healing. Instead of immediately curing the man, Jesus asks if he desires to be made well, prompting reflection on faith and personal readiness. The man’s response focuses on his limitations, yet Jesus sees beyond obstacles and extends His transforming power. It challenges us to consider whether we trust in Christ’s ability to heal and restore, rather than relying solely on earthly solutions.
