The Transforming Power of Jesus

Scripture:"The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.'" – John 5:7 (NKJV)

In John 5:7, we find a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years, lying beside the Pool of Bethesda. This pool was believed to have healing properties when its waters were stirred, but only the first person to enter the pool would be healed. For nearly four decades, this man had tried and failed to be the first one in, repeatedly missing his chance at healing because there was no one to help him. His response to Jesus—“I have no man”—is one of deep resignation and helplessness.

In this verse, we see a profound illustration of human limitation and the depths of despair that can come from repeated failure. The man’s circumstances seemed hopeless; no matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t reach the pool in time. He was stuck in a cycle of disappointment, watching others receive the healing he so desperately desired while he remained trapped in his affliction.

Yet, in this moment of despair, Jesus meets him. The man doesn’t even ask Jesus for help—perhaps he had given up hope that anyone would care. But Jesus, full of compassion, sees his need. He bypasses the pool entirely and speaks a word of healing directly to the man: “Rise, take up your bed and walk” (John 5:8). In an instant, the man is healed, his thirty-eight years of suffering brought to an end by the power of Jesus’ word.

This passage reminds us of several key truths about our faith and the nature of Christ:

1. Jesus Sees Us in Our Helplessness: 

No matter how long we’ve struggled, no matter how alone we feel, Jesus sees us. He knows our pain and our disappointments. Even when it seems like there is no one to help, Jesus is present, ready to extend His hand of mercy.

2. Jesus Has the Power to Heal and Restore:

The man by the pool didn’t need to struggle anymore because Jesus Himself was the source of healing. Our solutions often fall short, but Jesus’ power is unlimited. When He speaks into our lives, even the most impossible situations can be transformed.

3. Jesus Offers More Than Physical Healing:

 While the man’s physical healing was miraculous, Jesus was also offering him something deeper—a chance to rise up out of his spiritual despair. The healing of our bodies is temporary, but the healing Jesus offers our souls is eternal.

In our lives, we may face situations that seem hopeless—financial burdens, health challenges, broken relationships, or spiritual dryness. We may feel like the man by the pool, struggling on our own, believing that no one is there to help. But Jesus is always near, asking us, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6). His question invites us to look beyond our own efforts and to place our trust fully in Him.

As we reflect on this passage, let’s remember that our hope is not in the “pools” of this world—the temporary fixes and fleeting opportunities. Our hope is in Jesus Christ, who sees us, loves us, and has the power to make us whole. In His compassion, He reaches out to us, offering healing, restoration, and new life.

Let us place our trust in Him, knowing that He is more than able to do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. When Jesus speaks, everything changes. Our waiting, our striving, and our suffering are met with His grace, and we are invited to rise, take up our beds, and walk in the fullness of life He has for us.

ᵇʸ Sam Sasikumar