Tucked within the walls of Jerusalem, just north of the Temple Mount, lies one of the most quietly powerful places in the Holy Land: the Pool of Bethesda. It may not be as famous as the Garden Tomb or the Mount of Olives, but it’s here—among ancient stone ruins and quiet courtyards—that one of the Bible’s most tender stories of healing unfolds.

The Story of the Man at Bethesda

In John 5:1–9, we meet a man who had been sick for 38 years. He lay beside the pool of Bethesda, where it was believed that an angel would stir the waters—and the first person to step in afterward would be healed.

Day after day, he waited. But because of his condition, he could never reach the water in time.

Then Jesus arrived

“Do you want to get well?” — John 5:6

It’s a simple question, but one filled with meaning. The man didn’t answer directly—he only explained why healing felt impossible. Yet Jesus, full of compassion, healed him with a word.

“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” — John 5:8

And just like that, after 38 years of waiting, he walked.

Standing Where the Miracle Happened

When you visit the ruins of the Pool of Bethesda today, you walk among ancient stones and sacred stillness. It’s easy to imagine the crowds, the waiting, the longing—and the moment hope triumphed over despair.

I remember standing there, thinking about the times in my own life when I’ve felt stuck—praying, hoping, waiting. Bethesda is a reminder that God sees, God cares, and God heals—even if it looks different than we expect.

Reflections on Waiting and Healing

This story teaches us powerful truths:

• God moves in His time, not ours.

• Healing isn’t always about the water—it’s about the One who walks beside us.

• Even in long seasons of waiting, Jesus never forgets us.

  
  

Are you in a season of waiting? Do you feel unseen? Take heart. Whether your healing is physical, emotional, or spiritual, the same Jesus who walked into Bethesda walks with you now.

A Prayer from the Pool of Bethesda

Lord, I bring my weariness to You—the parts of me that have waited a long time to be whole.

Remind me that healing is found in You, not in a perfect moment or miracle.

Help me to trust, to rise, and to walk in faith.

Amen.

The Pool of Bethesda may be in ruins, but the truth behind it is more alive than ever:

Jesus still meets people in their brokenness. He still asks, “Do you want to get well?”And He still brings healing.

Wherever you are on your journey, may this story stir your hope again.