Read: John 5:1-15
I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. (v. 7)
Today we read again about the paralyzed man, waiting for the water in the pool of Bethesda to be stirred up, even though he had no one to help him get into it. When Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed, his hope was rekindled because, finally, here was someone that could help him reach the stirring water first. He didn’t recognize (at first) the true healing Jesus offered, healing that was better than the false hope of the pool.
Where are you looking for healing? It is so easy to fall prey to false hope, just like the sick in this passage. Jesus was with them, but none of them sought him. They were preoccupied with the way they chose to be healed, so much so that they disregarded the right way and the right person.
Perhaps you are also in a difficult emotional, physical or spiritual situation, even lingering in it for years. You might be really lonely and without any help. There seems to be no solution. Will you give up? Do you still want to get out of that situation? Do you still want to be healed? This is the question Jesus is asking you today. He has come to you and has seen your grief. Do not be so distracted by the hope for healing and deliverance offered by your “pool of Bethesda” that you lose sight of your Savior!
As you pray, ask Jesus to help you keep your eyes fixed on him.
About the Author
Genci Hoxha
Genci Hoxha is one of the leaders at a local church in Tirana where he is also involved in the ministry of teaching and preaching the Word. For 19 years, he served full-time with CRU in Albania. Three years ago, Genci Hoxha published his first poetry book entitled “Pasqyra e Qiellit” (English: The Sky’s Reflection).
These devotionals were first published in Fjalet e Shpreses, Words of Hope’s Albanian devotional. Learn more about Words of Hope Albania, and our work in training and equipping local Christian leaders to write and share the Word of God.
