A few weeks ago, my husband and I visited 2 friends, each dealing with cancer. One of them, in end-stage cancer, has had to face the reality that God is probably not going to heal her. The other, who is still in treatment, is hopeful for healing, but we both agreed that Jesus did not heal everyone during his earthly life, and that God does not heal everyone who has cancer, as hard as that is to understand and accept.
The Hebrew word “Beth hesda” means “house of mercy” or “house of grace”, a fitting name for the miracle that would happen within. In Greek it could also mean “flowing water”, in Hebrew and Aramaic, “shame” or “disgrace”.
The healing of the man at the Pool of Bethesda is all about grace. He didn’t deserve anything more than anyone else who wanted to be healed. He may not have been a good man, so it is also about repentance from poor choices.. (See John 5:14 where Jesus admonishes him to “Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.”)
If Jesus had not healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda, he would never have been healed because he had no one to lift him into the pool when the waters were stirred, and someone always managed to get into the pool before him. He had waited for years for healing!
It is only the mercy and grace of God that anyone is healed. Our bodies are so vulnerable to disease, and sometimes we do fall ill because of sin, as in the case of this man, who had made some poor choices in his lifetime. I find it remarkable that Jesus did not require anything of this man in order for him to be healed. We don’t even know if he did stop sinning!
On another note, how blessed is the person who has another to “lift him” up, to stand beside him in prayer and encouragement, interceding for healing! And how wonderful is the matchless grace and compassion of God, who does reach out and heal even when we may not deserve it!
Jesus, you still heal people today, but we do not always understand why you don’t heal everyone. Please help me to trust you no matter what you choose to do, knowing that you are merciful and compassionate in everything you do. Amen.
Throughout This Day: Are you trusting Jesus to heal you? Are you praying for another, lifting that person up to be healed? Trust in Jesus’ love and grace today, no matter what happens, knowing that he does see and know each person lying beside the Pool of Bethesda, waiting for the stirring of the waters.