John 5:14 “Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.’”

Jesus later finds the man and gives him a warning, urging him to live a life free from sin. While physical healing is important, Jesus points to the need for spiritual healing and holiness, emphasizing that the health of the soul matters just as much as the body.

Reflection Questions:

• What spiritual areas in your life need healing or attention in the same way the man’s body needed healing?
• How do you see the connection between physical and spiritual well-being?

John 5:9-10 “The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so the Jewish leaders said to the man who had been healed, ‘It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat.'”

After being healed, the man was confronted by religious leaders about carrying his mat on the Sabbath. Sometimes, after a healing or a breakthrough, we may face opposition or criticism, and the man had to walk in his newfound health despite the challenges.

Reflection Questions:

• What kind of challenges do you face after experiencing healing or deliverance in a certain area of life?
• How do you remain faithful to God’s work in your life when faced with criticism or opposition?

John 5:8-9 “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.”

Without the need for the pool’s waters or the help of others, Jesus miraculously healed the man with just His word. The man’s healing was immediate and complete, demonstrating the power of Jesus to heal instantly and fully.

Reflection Questions:

• How does Jesus’ authority to heal encourage you in your own need for healing?
• What steps of faith can you take today, trusting in Jesus’ power to heal you emotionally, physically, or spiritually?

John 5:6-7 “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?’ The invalid replied, ‘Sir, 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.’”

Jesus approached the man and asked him a profound question: “Do you want to get well?” The man’s response reflects not only his physical limitations but also his deep sense of abandonment, as he had no one to help him.

Reflection Questions:

• How might your own beliefs or circumstances affect your willingness to seek healing?
• What areas of your life require you to respond to Jesus’ question, “Do you want to get well?”

 John 5:5 “One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.”

The man at the pool had been suffering for thirty-eight years. His condition seemed hopeless, and he had no one to help him get to the water. This long period of waiting highlights the depth of his suffering and the human experience of prolonged illness or hardship.

Reflection Questions:

• In what ways do you relate to the man’s feeling of hopelessness or helplessness?
• How do you respond when you feel stuck in a long season of illness, physical or spiritual?

 John 5:1-3 “Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 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.”

At the Pool of Bethesda, a multitude of sick and disabled people waited for healing. They believed that the waters of the pool had the power to heal, but many remained unhealed, waiting for their opportunity.

Reflection Questions:

• Have you ever felt like you are waiting for healing or relief from a difficult situation?
• How does the image of the sick waiting by the pool relate to your own moments of waiting for God to intervene?

Are you ill or you have a loved one suffering from an illness? Does it seem like your situation is not improving? Jesus heals all manner of sicknesses and diseases. Here is a 7 day Bible reading plan that reflects on the healing power of Jesus as illustrated in the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda. Each day focuses on a key aspect of healing, spiritual health, and faith in Christ’s ability to make us whole.

A Journey of Faith and Healing

This journey through the story of the man at the Pool of Bethesda reveals important truths about healing and health. Jesus’ power to heal is not limited by time, space, or human effort. He sees us in our suffering, asks us to step out in faith, and calls us to a life of holiness. As you reflect on this story, consider how Jesus is inviting you to experience both physical and spiritual healing, and how your healing can be a testimony of His love and power to others.

Here are a couple of reminders for you about loving one another. Be inspired to go out and spread love to those around you.

1. 1 Corinthians 16:14 Let all that you do be done in love.

Love is at the very core of our faith. We shouldn’t love only at certain times. Everything we do should be done in love.

2. John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.

Jesus sets the example for us. He loves us, despite our flaws and shortcomings. We are also called to love one another.

3. Romans 12:10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.

Christians are brothers and sisters as adopted children of God. Therefore, we are to love one another like we love our family.

4. Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works

You can set an example to people around you, by showing love. Inspire others to love and do good.

5. Matthew 5:43-44 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you

Jesus tells us that we should not limit our love to those who love us, but even those who persecute us. To love and pray for our enemy or persecutor is a challenge in loving one another.

6. Luke 6:31 And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.

Don’t wait for others to do good and show love. Express your love by doing good first.

7. Matthew 22:39 And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

The greatest commandment is to love God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. Jesus says that all the law and the prophets depend on these two.

Are you hurting right now? Know that the Word of God can speak to you in every situation of your life. Here are some reminders for you.

1. Psalm 34:18 The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

Remember this, you are not hurting because God has left you, or is far away. God is near. Invite him in your life, especially when you are hurting.

2. John 11:35 Jesus wept.

When Jesus saw the grief that people had when Lazarus had died, his love and compassion for us made him cry. This is our God, who feels with us, who weeps with us when we are hurting and who smiles with us when we rejoice.

3. Matthew 5:4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

God doesn’t want you to hurt or mourn. There is comfort.

4. Matthew 11:28-30 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Give your pain and hurt to Jesus. He doesn’t want you to carry it, but will give you peace instead.

5. John 16:33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

Jesus doesn’t promise us that everything in this world will be fine, quite the opposite, there will be hardship. That’s when you need to turn to Jesus, because he has overcome the world

6. Matthew 6:14-15 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Here is something challenging when we are hurting. To have peace, find it in your heart to forgive the person who hurt you. Forgiveness is not earned or deserved, but given anyway, just like God forgives us.

7. Revelation 21:4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.

Ultimately, we live with the hope that one day there will be no more pain, no more crying. One day we will be with Jesus in the new Jerusalem. There is an end to pain, hurting, suffering. But there is no end to God’s love and grace.