The Pool of Bethseda_for June

The Pool of Bethesda

By G. Colleen Henry

The Pool of Bethesda Bethesda means house of pity or mercy.

John 5:1-2 “After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.�

In the days before Christ came in the

healing. At that time they could be

flesh, there were many sick and afflicted

healed if they could be the first who

people who could not be healed by

stepped in after the waters were troubled

physicians or priest in their day. God had

by the angel. Now the pool was troubled

mercy upon the people and sent an

at a certain season and the people

angel to trouble the water at the pool of

would gather and try to be first to step in

Bethesda to heal those who needed

the pool in order to be healed.

If we look at this closely there was a short window of time to reach the pool for healing, you would have to know exactly when the pool was being troubled and if you were helpless, you would need someone to help you get into the pool for healing. As we look carefully there must have been just a few people healed this way before Christ came. When Christ came in the flesh he healed multitudes of people.

We are in the days prior to the second coming of Christ. Because of our weaknesses God increased the wisdom, knowledge and understanding of man for his benefit and health. As sin increased so did pestilence, sickness, death which men could not live out his life expectancies. God also gave the physician, scientist, nurses and pharmacist honor in the healing of man.

Ecclesiasticus 38: 1-4 “Honor a physician honor with the honor due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him. The skill of the physician shall lift up his head; and in the sight of men he shall be in admiration.

The Lord hath created medicine out of the earth: and he that is wise will not abhor them. Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him; let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him. There is a time when in their hands there is good success. For they

shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life.�

As we can see in our day God have given us the physician with skill and he also has given us pray for the sick which aid the physician, James 5:13-16. However the physicians are unable to heal all illnesses neither can they alleviate pain and suffering for many people similar to the time before the first coming of Christ.

Mercy and Pity ONE OF THE DEFINITIONS FOR MERCY IS THE COMPASSIONATE TREATMENT OF THE UNFORTUNATE AND HELPLESS PITY MEANS TO HAVE FEELINGS FOR THOSE WHO ARE SUFFERING OR IN DISTRESS

Many people are like those people who struggle to be first in the pool of Bethesda and all who are unable to get there are not healed. Because of God’s mercy and pity, the nations with the greatest medical knowledge will, from time to time, go to third world nations to heal just a few as in the days before Christ came. Those who are chosen are healed but those who are not suffer the rest of their lives and their life is shortened.

When Christ comes again unto the earth he will come to his children first and will heal all of their infirmities physically, mentally and spiritually.

Malachi 4:2 “But unto you that fear my name shall the son of righteousness arise with healing in his wings: and ye shall go forth as calves of the stall. And

ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this saith the Lord of host.� It is important to know that Christ is coming in the latter days unto his children only!

There will never be a pool of Bethesda for the wicked. Amen.