July 3-Getting Clean
One thing in Jerusalem and the surrounding remains that surprised me was all of the ritual baths. In all the ruins, one or two or more have been excavated and one of them was still attached to a spring so it was full of water. I understand that it was a big part of ritual for the Jews, but there is something inherently healing for our souls about water.
The Pools of Bethesda (The place of healing) is a site in Jerusalem that is still uncovered and easily seen. The pools were huge and when the Bible says many of the sick and lame were around the pool waiting for the time of healing there, it’s easy to visualize. Two large pools surrounded by colonnades, what a site that must have been.
“Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.””
John 5:2-3, 5-8 NIV
To be unable to walk for 38 years and healed by the Master must have been mind boggling. What went on in that guys brain? He had been so close to healing, cool waters yet unable on his own to get there. But Jesus changed it all with six words.
Sometimes we are just like that guy. So close to the healing waters but just can’t get there on our own. Praise God, Jesus is there to help us with those last steps to the living water and cleanse us from our sin and wrongdoings.
I also think it’s interesting to note that Jesus told him to take his mat. I imagine that thing as filthy and nasty, don’t you? He was unable to move so he couldn’t move off of it, he couldn’t get himself clean really—that mat had to be awful and smelly. I think I’d have said, “It’s ok. I’ll just leave it!” But when we are forgiven for our wrongs, we don’t always get to just leave the filth and mess it causes. We still have to deal with the results of our “laying on the mat” so as we pick it up, it helps us to remember where we were and how awful it was—and we never want to go there again. Amen?
Dear Lord, thank you for healing waters. You are life and you are love. Thank you for caring about us when we are sick and can’t walk—physically, emotionally and spiritually. Your compassion for us goes beyond all understanding and we praise you for pouring our your blessings on us. It is though this clean, washed life we stand before you. The sweet Holy Spirit stands with us as a guarantee of our inheritance and drives us to be continually transformed by the renewing of our minds. Teach us to love you more with everything we are. Hallelujah for our salvation. Hallelujah for our Savior. Surround us this day, Lord. Amen and amen.
Love you dear one,
Pam
I did put Bethesda pictures on FB to his morning.
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