Christian Family Services Ministry

4-2-2024 – A Word to the Wise – I assume that most reading this post are Christians and therefore familiar with Scripture and seeking greater insight. There are many different ways to approach Scripture: linguistically, through differing translations, through word study, or through cultural study. What I am doing is perhaps odd in that there is no way to confirm what took place in the events of John 5, but it is fascinating to consider.

Think for a moment, how did Jesus end up in Bethesda? In some respects, it would be like going to a foreign temple. It was a place known for idol worship. It was the habitat of Aeschylus, the god of healing.

What on earth was Jesus doing there? I suspect he came looking for this specific person. Jesus had a list of things to do – like the conversation two thousand years earlier with Abraham, when He stated that He’s going to go down to check on the rumors about Sodom.

In this circumstance Jesus knew this man, where to find him, and what he was going to do. It was no accident. Jesus may have loved the man, but he did not like him. Sometimes I wonder if the same may be true of us, Jesus may not like us but most certainly he loves us.

This man was depending on idolatry for healing. He excused the fact that it had never happened by blaming it on his physical inability.

However, personality wise – we see some serious problems with him. He does not greet Jesus, he immediately makes excuses for his useless situation. Everything is about him. He is quite self-centered. He blames others for his situation, and in 38 years he has not made one friend who could help. This is despite the fact that someone was bringing him here- picking him up and providing or him.

Please note the outstanding traits apparent in the short passage.

How about all the sick people Jesus walked by to get to him?

Jesus says he knew the man had been there 38 years. How?

In spite of Jesus’ reputation no one reached out their hand in faith, to ask for healing here in this place of much suffering.

Thirty- eight years the main is- here which is the same amount of time the rebellious people of Israel spent in the wilderness for disobedience- see how both have the same rebellious attitude.

This man never confessed Jesus or belief in him.

This man never expressed gratitude.

This man had made no friends in 38 years.

Jesus, on this one occasion, finds the man a 2nd time. This does not happen with others He healed.

Jesus warns the man the illness has something to do with his sin in the past and could revisit him.

I suspect we have here a rare case of a personality disorder.

The situation here is different from other healings of Jesus. I wonder sometimes if our lack of healing has something in common with this situation?