Fountain of Life

By the sheep gate in Jerusalem there was a pool which in

Hebrew was called ‘Bethesda’. The water sometimes was stirred

up and people thought it was angels who did it. The pool was

crowded with people who had all kinds of diseases because

people had been told that after the stirring up of the water

whoever entered first was made well from whatever disease

with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been

ill for thirty-eight years. He had suffered for a long time and

because of the hope of healing he wouldn’t leave the pool.

Knowing his heart, Jesus said to him, “Do you wish to get

well?” and stretched His hand of love. The man replied with

regret that when the water moved another had stepped in

before him because he was unable to move well. Then, Jesus

said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” All of a

sudden, strength came to the man and he began to walk. The

man was healed of the disease that had troubled him for thirtyeight

years just at Jesus’ words.