When Jesus found him he was laying by a pool in what people called "The house of mercy" (Hebrew Beth Heads).

This was a place where blind, lame, and paralyzed people were left for the day by their families. They could keep each other company, and rich people would come and give them a coin to buy food from the vendors who came around. There was a tradition that, when the water was stirred by an underground spring, the first person who could get into the pool was healed.

The Lord came among these sick people, and He saw one man who had been sick thirty-eight years. Of course the Lord knew all about him, but He said to him, "Wilt thou be made whole?" Then the man told the Lord that he had no friend to help him down to the water when it was "troubled," but someone else who was not so helpless always got down to the pool first, and then it was too late for him. Thirty-eight years this poor man had been helpless; we can hardly imagine his surprise when the Lord said to him, "Rise, take up thy bed, and walk." Think of his joy, as he felt that he was well and obeyed the Lord. Folding up his bed or mat, upon which he lay, he walked out from among all those sick people.

You remember that this was the Jews' Sabbath, and this man went out into the city carrying his bed (or mat)! This was contrary to their laws, contrary even to the laws that the Lord had given to their fathers. But He had come to give them new laws for His day; to teach men that it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath day. The Jews however did not rejoice with the sick man that he was made well. They did not praise the Lord's power which was able to do so great a miracle. They only found fault with the man for carrying his bed on the Sabbath day, and when they knew that it was Jesus who had healed him and told him to carry his bed, they were so angry that they tried to kill Him for doing these things on the Sabbath day.

I wonder if any of you are humiliated by a sense that you have no function to perform. Perhaps you are totally dependent on your family and others to meet your simplest needs. You feel you have nothing to offer. People despise you for being a parasite in society. If you feel inadequate, and not much good to anyone, take your heart to Jesus he has something in mind for you, something totally wonderful and unexpected.

Then we must avoid blaming others for what has gone wrong in our life. "Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up and someone else steps down ahead of me" (John 5:7). People keep complaining "The government won’t do this or that," which may be true. Or "my family don’t care about me," which may also be true. Or "the church does not help me," which is very often the case.

But Jesus’ one question is "Do you want to be made well?" Do we really long to be useful in Jesus’ service. And when that is settled, he can ask us to take the first step in a new life of creative service in his Kingdom...
Lord, I wonder if I am any use to anyone in this world. Based on this story of the man who had been useless for 38 years, I can thank you that you care about me having a useful fruitful life. Help me to take that first step of faith. I want to step out into usefulness in your Kingdom."

I am so weary, Lord. I am tired and I need You to give me the courage to carry on with the life that You have so generously given to me. It is through this life that I can make my way to you and live in eternal happiness. Make me understand that this world is an imperfect place, full of evil pitfalls. But someday You will make all things right. Please give me strength for I am afraid I cannot travel this perilous road by myself. I am calling on your promise that You will walk with me and share this burden that is so heavy.

Help me to depend on my faith in You, and give me hope, for I need You more than ever. Give me peace, guide me and speak to my heart so that I can listen and understand how to get past these troubles in order to serve you with joy and thanksgiving. I am surrendering myself to You, heavenly Father, and I am asking this through You precious Son, Jesus Christ. Amen!