John 5

“Do you wish to get well?” (v6).  The healing powers of the water at Bethesda only helped those who first stepped in; this benefit was for the quickest, or those who had others to help them.  It was first-come-first-served healing, mysterious and impersonal.  Jesus, in contrast, spoke directly to the lame man: “Arise … walk” (v8).  He found him later and told him “do not sin anymore” (v14).  Jesus cared about this man’s physical and spiritual/emotional health.

God is not a magic, impersonal Power, but the Father who knows our names, our problems, and calls us sons and daughters.