Aug 26 – The Five Porches!

“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches.” (John 5:2)

Today, I would like to take you to the Pool of Bethesda in the land of Israel. Picture the scene: thousands of sick people are gathered around the pool, watching and waiting for its waters to be stirred.

The name Bethesda means “House of Mercy.” The unique feature of this pool was that whenever the angel stirred the water, the first person to step into it – regardless of the nature or severity of the illness – would be completely healed.

At Bethesda, age made no difference. Whether a person suffered from asthma, cancer, or any other life-threatening disease was of no consequence. The only requirement was to be the first to enter the water when it was stirred. No one knew when that moment would come. The pool indeed offered mercy.

Yet it was not perfect mercy, nor was it a mercy available to everyone. Among those waiting was a man who had suffered for thirty-eight years, longing in vain for healing.

Do you know what the five porches of Bethesda and the thirty-eight-year invalid symbolize?

Just as the Law consists of the five books of Moses – Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – the Pool of Bethesda had five porches. The man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years represents Israel. From the time they departed from Egypt until they completed their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites spent thirty-eight years in the wilderness. Although the Law contained God’s mercy, it could not bring complete healing or perfect redemption.

Then Jesus came and introduced the covenant of grace. He is rich in mercy and never turns away anyone who comes to Him. Every person who comes to Christ finds compassion. In Him there is divine healing and perfect restoration. Just as Bethesda had five porches, Christ bears the marks of His five wounds. And just as the healing waters filled the pool, His precious blood flowed from those wounds to bring salvation and healing.

A Christian writer once described the way to this Bethesda in these words: “The road to Bethesda is the road of faith. Walk along that path until you reach the city called Christianity. There you will come to the pool called Christ. Enter the shelter of His five wounds, and immerse yourself in His precious blood. The very moment you do, the diseases of your soul will be removed.”

Dear child of God, even today Jesus Christ is rich in mercy. He is able to heal your sicknesses, restore your weaknesses, and make you whole.

Verse for further meditation: “Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked…” (John 5:8–9)