Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool … Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed – John 5:1-3.

Poverty, disease and deprivation have become rampant in the world. Many have been crippled by prevailing circumstances and rendered helpless where they are. Even the rich and prosperous have not escaped the misery terrorism, crime, natural disasters, and economic eruptions have brought into their homes. This gloomy condition of the world is a clear indication of the spiritual paralysis sin has caused to this world.

Unfortunately, many do not accept this view. They have proposed diverse reasons to explain this human misery. They have used excuses like the environment, circumstances, and human activities to condition many minds to accept the lie that there is no way out for them.

Consequently, some people do not attempt anything to improve their situation. They have been condemned to “The Jail of the Mind,” where Satan uses lies to enforce their misery (Jn. 10:44). Others trust the wisdom and ingenuity of humans for solutions that never work. Despite their efforts, they have become increasingly helpless and hopeless like the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-15.

Tradition had it that angels occasionally came to stir the pool and endowed it with healing power, and the first person to jump into it got healed (3). Everything was dark and hopeless for the invalids there who hoped for a healing opportunity someday. Among them was a man who “had been an invalid for thirty-eight years,” until Jesus intervened (8, 9). That is the heart of Jesus for the helpless and hopeless – the love that brought Him into this world (Jn. 3:16). He came to rescue the world “from the dominion of darkness” (Col. 1:13), and to bring His believers into “His wonderful light” (1Pt. 2:9).

The scene at the Pool of Bethesda depicts the deplorable condition of the world – the devastation sin has wrought on it. Sin rules the world in darkness. It has blinded many to the reality of their sickness. The best human effort is only pretentious and a temporal remedy. Anything apart from Christ Jesus is a lie that seeks to perpetuate the chaotic order of this world (Jn 14:6).

Unfortunately, the world loves darkness and has countered the Gospel message with every conceivable excuse and proposition that deepens the misery. They have become like the invalid when Jesus asked him the simple question, “Do you want to get well?” (6). The man turned the simple question into a complicated excuse trip and blame game (7). That’s what the world has become. But, until people bury their pride and concede that the Most High rules over all things, they will continue to eat grass like King Nebuchadnezzar did (Daniel 4:33-37).

 Fortunately, it is a personal choice. You can answer the question Jesus asked the invalid at the pool, “Do you want to get well?” If only you will take personal responsibility for your life and say ‘yes’ to Him, His mercy and grace will embrace you and bring sanity into your life. You will have hope again, and a reason to live (Jn. 1:12-13, 14; Rom 10:9-13; Col. 1:27).