The Pools at Bethesda are one of my favorite places to visit. The excavations here are surrounded by grounds with gardens and old trees with birds in their branches. It was peaceful and quiet when we visited and thought about Jesus coming to this very place to heal and bless.
This place was especially significant to me today, as I considered the cancer growing in my breast and my upcoming surgery. I am grateful for healing power and prayers of faith-filled friends and loved ones who are mindful of me, but most of all, I am grateful for my Savoir, Jesus Christ, who knows me and knows my needs. I felt Him near, here, today, as I also hope for healing.
John 5:1-15
1 After this there was aa feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.
3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.
4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.
5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
8 Jesus saith unto him, aRise, take up thy bed, and walk.
9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
10 ¶ The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
11 He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
12 Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk?
13 And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place.
14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.
15 The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.
These gardens are inside the site, which charges an entrance fee.
Here are the excavations. It’s amazing that so much remains, giving us an idea of what it was like when Jesus came here.
The pools were quite far below ground level, with steps leading down to the water.
My mind envisioned Jesus going down these very steps, as he went about doing good.
This beautiful Church of Saint Anne is near the excavation site. Everyone is invited to worship here, especially in song–the acoustics are incredible. We were thrilled that a visitor just behind us broke into song–“Praise God From Whom All Blessings Flow.” We joined our voices with his. Then he started singing, “I Am a Child of God,” and we knew we were in good company. It was Eric Huntsman (former Tabernacle Choir member) and his children visiting!
The music and this place lifted my spirits today.
