Going to (and From) the Mat

GodSpeak for the Week of May 26

We’re back to the Lectionary this week, focusing on John’s recounting of a story from early in Jesus’ ministry.

Day 1…Read John 5:1-9

• Consider this – John is very specific to note that the pool of Bethesda was near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem.
  • The Sheep Gate is believed to have been the opening in the wall around Jerusalem (on the east side of the city, near the Temple), where sheep/lambs were brought in for sacrifice at the Temple.
• Answer this – looking at this whole passage, what are the themes of sacrifice John illustrates?

Day 2…Read John 5:2

• Consider this – the word “Bethesda” means “house of mercy” and/or “flowing water.”
  • Folks believed the waters in the pool could cure all kinds of illnesses, however;
  • …they would only bubble once or twice each day, and;
  • …only the first person into the water would get the benefit of healing (thus, the constant watching and racing to get in the water first)!
• Answer this – for the man who was blind, lame and paralyzed…what did this “house of mercy” and “flowing water” represent?

Day 3…Read John 5:2 (again)

• Consider this – while this “house of mercy” and “flowing water” had been anything BUT merciful to this man, along comes Jesus;
  • …who zeroes in on this particular man, asking him if he’d like to be healed.
  • Note – for 38 years…every, single day…this man had gone to the pool seeking healing.  And, then – one day, after almost 14,000 days of failure and frustration, Jesus shows up.
• Answer this – how must Jesus’ question have sounded to the man?  How must that have felt to him to have Jesus make the offer He did?
  • What does this say about the nature of God’s healing versus what we often hear from the world?

Day 4…Read John 5:6-9

• Consider this – people went to the Pool of Bethesda, because they believed there were mystical/miraculous powers in the WATERS.
• Answer this – after some 14,000 days of personal failure, what actually brings the man healing, though?
  • Why does this matter?  What does this say about the way Jesus creates healing in people?

Day 5…Read John 5:9

• Consider this – John tells us that the man’s healing was effected “at once”; that is, immediately or forthwith.
  • After 38 years, the man just got up and walked right there.
• Answer this – have you ever seen (or, heard of) instantaneous healing like this?
  • These days, folks will often lament that miracles don’t happen today like they did when Jesus was on earth.  How do you answer this?

Day 6…Read John 5:9

• Consider this – the final words of our lesson for this week note: “The day on which this took place was the Sabbath…”
• Answer this – why is that significant?  Even early in His ministry, what is Jesus saying about the work (and, healing) of God?