Biblia

1651. The Sign of Bethesda's Pool

1651. The Sign of Bethesda's Pool

The Sign of Bethesda's Pool

"Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches" (Joh_5:2).

1. The impotent man. There was in Jerusalem, a pool named Bethesda. In the porches of Bethesda lay a great multitude of impotent folk–of blind, halt, withered–all a helpless bunch, waiting for the moving of the waters.

Among the impotent, was a man who had had an infirmity thirty-eight years.

When Jesus saw him, and knew that he had been a long time in that case, He saith unto him: "Wilt thou be made whole?" (Joh_5:6).

2. The lack of human help. The impotent man said to Christ:

"Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool" (Joh_5:7).

This is the condition in which Israel has long been not only sick, and helpless in herself, but with no one else to help her.

There was no man to reach forth his hand, there was no deliverer.

3. The master's word, "Arise and walk." Jesus saith unto him:

"Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath" (Joh_5:8-9).

4. The meaning of the sign. Our third sign is Christ, the strength of His people.

A day is coming in which Israel shall be made strong; she, who for so long a time has been impotent and infirm, shall be made to arise and walk.

The fact that the sign was wrought on the Sabbath Day, is significant that its fulfillment will be in that Sabbath Day, the day of millennial rest, which remaineth to the people of God.

Israel, as a people, refused Christ in His earth life; but when He comes again, they will receive Him, and they will have strength to serve Him.

The sign is given that we might believe in Christ as the Son of God. None other than Deity could restore a nation so long helplessly and hopelessly sick.

Christ will take His people out from among the nations whither He hath scattered them and then "the heathen shall know that I am the Lord" (Eze_36:23).

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR