FLAMING WORD – P30

JOHN 5:2–9

PART 1

2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first, after the troubling of the water, stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered Him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.

9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.

By the pool of Bethesda lay many sick people. There were five porches, signifying grace. We all come to God hoping to find grace and mercy to help us in our time of need.

An angel would come and stir the waters at a certain season, and anyone who first got into the water after it was stirred was healed of whatever disease afflicted them.

The time of the angelic visitation was not definite; there wasn’t a stipulated moment. So, all the sick had to do was wait in anticipation.

We might be expecting a miracle from God, but the moment of the divine visitation is not for us to know. All we can do is wait!

Psalm 27:13–14

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

To experience the goodness of God, you have to believe Him.

In this new life, “in the land of the living,” we who have the life of Christ live by His Word. The situation might look contrary, but we get encouraged and strengthened as we wait on the Lord.

That was the situation at the pool of Bethesda. You don’t know when the angel is coming, so all you can do is wait!

It’s not as if we can help ourselves, so wait!

Wait upon the Lord in prayer. Declare His promises. Fast. Sow seeds. Wait!

Wait, my dear, wait on the Lord!

There’s about to come a mighty visitation!

Wait!

Shalom.