Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And IMMEDIATELY THE MAN WAS MADE WELL, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ “ (John 5:8-11)
The Gospel of John describes the pools as having five porticoes. The site was discovered in 1888 by K. Schick. Prior to this scholars DID NOT THINK THE POOLS OF BETHESDA EXISTED. The pool is located below the surface. This is why the site took so long to discover. The pools were originally associated with healing, but recently archeologists discovered the pools were also a mikveh or purification bath. There have always and probably always will be sceptics who doubt any thing written about Jesus is not true.
The man’s bed was integral to this miraculous sign. Daily he would have been near the pool with his only possession in the hopes of some healing. Everyone who had seen this man all these 38 years would instantly recognize him as THE CRIPPELED MAN WITH HIS BED. Therefore, it was necessary to the “sign” of his healing that he was the man. The Jews did not want to know about how this man was MIRACULOUSLY HEALED, they only wanted to know why he was carrying his bed on the Sabbath.
Two passages in the Bible saying, “…the words which were spoken before by the holy prophets, and the apostles of the Lord and Savior, that scoffers will come in the last days, walking according to their own lusts, and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of creation.” (2 Peter 3:3) and “there would be mockers in the last time who would walk according to their own ungodly lusts.” (Jude 1:18) both explain what that means. A “scoffer” in this context is one who mocks Christ, ridicules the things of God, and opposes the gospel. Both Peter and Jude were writing warnings against false teachers who were intent on leading others astray. The word scoffer refers to one who denies the truths of Scripture and entices others to go along with his error.
I’M SO GLAD THAT EVERY WORD OF GOD IS TRUE…
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham