White Robed Monks of St. Benedict

Chapter 7 Troubled the water  (John 5:1-9)  

Verse 3-4
In these lay a great multitude of
impotent folk, of blind, halt
withered, waiting for the moving of the water.

For (text: it was said) an angel went
down at a certain season (from time
to time) 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.

     There are three places in the East that the infirm will sit and wait for healing.
          1.  Temple gate - Lame man
          2.  Highway side - Blind Bartimaeus
          3.  Holy rivers of pools

     Also in India this belief is prevelent. On the banks of their pools and rivers there are shelter houses built and people will remain there for years. They are waiting for healing when the waters are supposedly troubled by an angel.
     This man at the pool of Bethesda had a desire to be healed and even after 38 years he hadn't given up on the possibility of being healed. Jesus' question "will thou" = thelo, This wasn't just a mental resolve as in a wish list.

Verse 5-7:
And a certain man was there, which
had an infirmity thirty and eight years.

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?

The impotent man answered him, Sir
[Ellipsis: I am indeed willing, but] I
have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool: but
while I am coming, another steppeth
dowm before me.

     In verse 6 the word "knew" reveals that Jesus stopped and got to know this man, he genuinely and compassionately cared to help this man. He helped him to focus on his desire to be healed rather than the Eastern custom.
     How is your desire for healing, are you waiting or are you willing to act? Ask God right now to show you what to do and act immediately!

Verses 8-9:
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up
thy bed, and walk.

And immediately the man was made
whole, and took up his bed, and
walked:

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