The sick, blind, lame, and paralyzed laid under the five porches near the pool of Bethesda and in the shadows of the Temple. All awaited the waters in the pool to be stirred up by an angel because the first one to step into the pool would be healed. The others – even though they had waited for months and maybe years – who then followed the first man into the water would not be healed.
An unknown Man walked into their midst. He stepped over and around numerous sick people as if He were looking for one individual. Many grunted and complained that He was in their way and ruined their chances of getting healed if the angel arrived at that moment. The Man ignored their complaints as He searched the porches.
Finally, He walked up to one man and said, “Do you want to be made well?”
The sick man answered by listing his reasons why he had not been healed.
Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
The man was totally healed. He picked up his bed and carried it away, even though it was the Sabbath.
Then, what followed is described in the Bible as the greatest healing crusade in Jesus’ ministry. Everyone rushed or called out to Him, asking to be healed. And everyone was healed and glorified the God of Israel.
Actually, disregard the last paragraph because it never happened. Not one of the other sick people said anything to Him.
Oh yes! The people saw Jesus heal the man, but as soon as it happened, they turned their eyes back to the pool in hopes the angel might show up.
They couldn’t move past their Temple teachings and traditions to see the Fountain of Living Water standing in their midst. After all, this religious practice had healed a few in the past. Why change?
Sadly, this is where the Church stands today.
So, do we believers still cast out demons?
(Continued in Part 2)
Larry Who 