Pool of Bethesda

Since living in California, I have seen many homeless people. They live in terrible conditions and it is quite sad to see their state of affairs. I have rarely interacted with them, only passed by them.

It is with this in mind, that the Savior's trip to the pool of Bethesda is viewed with more awe. He was among the infirm and homeless, the poorest in society. Here he finds a man who has been there 38 years, and heals him. I can imagine how awful the man looked and smelled. Jesus didn't care; he blessed and healed the man. He just wanted the help the man.

Here's the account:

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

3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

4 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.

5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.

8 Jesus saith unto him, ^aRise, take up thy bed, and walk.