If you are fond of looking for historical sites, I suggest that you get an Archaeological Bible that explores through maps, artifacts and pictures of the Historical sites as they are of today. My Archaeological Study Bible is of the New International Version which was printed by Zondervan Corporation in 2005. http://www.zondervan.com
If you are able to do a search on Google or happen to have this same Bible, you can turn to page 1728 and read about the Pool of Bethesda.
Imagine this scene if you can and place yourself right into the middle of this passage in John 5:1-8.
You are on your way to to Jerusalem following Jesus to take part in a feast. When you arrive by the Sheep Gate and there is a pool close by called Bethesda which has a five-roof colonnades and look around who do you see surrounding you. People who are blind, lame, and paralyzed are all around you. There was one man in particular that had there for 38 years and Jesus saw him and knew he had been there for quite sometime. Jesus asked him, ” Do you want to be healed?” The man replied , I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up and while he goes another gets down before him. Jesus spoke to the man and said,”Get up, take up your bed and walk. And at once the man did so and was healed.
What day of the week did this healing take place and what was so controversial about this miracle on this specific day of the week? WHY?
What was the man’s response to the question ,who had healed him?
When Jesus found the man later in the temple , what did he say to him?
What was Jesus’ response to those who were persecuting him? WHY?
Close today’s session in John with a time of personal reflection and give thanks to the Lord for what He is currently doing in your life.
Some time
Living Fountain 