By the sheep gate in Jerusalem there was a pool which in
Hebrew was called ‘Bethesda’. The water sometimes was stirred
up and people thought it was angels who did it. The pool was
crowded with people who had all kinds of diseases because
people had been told that after the stirring up of the water
whoever entered first was made well from whatever disease
with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been
ill for thirty-eight years. He had suffered for a long time and
because of the hope of healing he wouldn’t leave the pool.
Knowing his heart, Jesus said to him, “Do you wish to get
well?” and stretched His hand of love. The man replied with
regret that when the water moved another had stepped in
before him because he was unable to move well. Then, Jesus
said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” All of a
sudden, strength came to the man and he began to walk. The
man was healed of the disease that had troubled him for thirtyeight
years just at Jesus’ words.