A Multitude of the Physically Ill - John 5:3

John the apostle wrote how, “there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem”, and in chapter five and verse two of his book, John shared about, “a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda” where we read:

Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool,

which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.

The verse reads, “Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, ...”. John began with the words, “Now there is at Jerusalem” or “there exists in the city of Jerusalem which was the capital of Palestine and whose name means set you double peace” “by the sheep market” which means “over against and across from the gate where sheep were lead and marketed” “a pool” or “a swimming hole or reservoir for bathing”. John shared how there was a “reservoir” for swimming and bathing near to the place where “sheep” were led and marketed.

The verse goes on to say, “... which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.” John continued with the words, “which is called” which means “that is named and known as” “in the Hebrew tongue” or “within the Jewish Chaldee language” “Bethesda” which means “house of mercy or flowing water”, “having five porches” or “possessing five porticoes or a covered colonnade where people can stand or walk protected from the weather and the heat of the sun”. John shared how the “pool at Bethesda” possessed “five” porticoes where people could be protected from the weather and sun.

When we think through John's words in this verse, we learn about a special “pool” called “Bethesda” that had “five coverings” to protect the people from the weather. Jesus will do something very special at this “pool” in our next few verses, but for now, let us be aware that Jesus was continuing on His mission to share the “gospel” of the Kingdom with everyone who would listen. He continues to do so today, and His “salvation” is available to every person who believes and trusts in Him as their personal “Lord and Savior”. The “pool of Bethesda” is a location where Jesus will reveal His power, and wherever He is called upon, He is willing to come to anyone who submits themselves to Him.

Next time John shares how there, “lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".