Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people — blind, lame, or paralyzed — lay on the porches.
—John 5:1-3 NLT
One of John's recurring themes is that Jesus comes to Jerusalem during important feasts to make God's love and grace available to the people. Like he so often does, Jesus puts himself in a place that makes him accessible to everyday people. This group of people in today's verses had serious health problems and had come to a place that legend had made a place of healing. [1] John, however, will remind us once again in the subsequent verses that Jesus catches up all the legend, tradition, and meaning of his Jewish heritage and makes it all come alive in himself. He is the great healer — not legend, not tradition, and not the feasts. This healer makes God available to common everyday folks.
[1] This legend is implied by all the sick people at the pool and is stated in verse 4 that is included in some translations (e.g., John 5:3-5 ASV) and is a footnote in the NLT.
Thank you, Father, for walking among everyday folks like me. Thank you for revealing your glory in Jesus. I believe he is my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, Healer, Teacher, Lord, and Friend. I believe you sent him so that I could better understand your heart. Conform my life to his example and his will. I pray this in his name, Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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—John 5:1-3 NLT
Key Thought
One of John's recurring themes is that Jesus comes to Jerusalem during important feasts to make God's love and grace available to the people. Like he so often does, Jesus puts himself in a place that makes him accessible to everyday people. This group of people in today's verses had serious health problems and had come to a place that legend had made a place of healing. [1] John, however, will remind us once again in the subsequent verses that Jesus catches up all the legend, tradition, and meaning of his Jewish heritage and makes it all come alive in himself. He is the great healer — not legend, not tradition, and not the feasts. This healer makes God available to common everyday folks.
[1] This legend is implied by all the sick people at the pool and is stated in verse 4 that is included in some translations (e.g., John 5:3-5 ASV) and is a footnote in the NLT.
Today's Prayer
Thank you, Father, for walking among everyday folks like me. Thank you for revealing your glory in Jesus. I believe he is my Savior, Messiah, Redeemer, Healer, Teacher, Lord, and Friend. I believe you sent him so that I could better understand your heart. Conform my life to his example and his will. I pray this in his name, Jesus my Lord. Amen.
Related Scripture Readings
Ⓒ 1996-2022 Heartlight, Inc. This material may not be reproduced in part or whole for commercial use without written consent. What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form. Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
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