Befriending the Friendless
By Margaret Wintringer
(courtesy The Chosen Word

Editor’s Note: I received a call from an American reader who has been studying the prophetic side of the Gospel of John. He pointed out that in every parable (or story) there is the personal aspect, but, as well, a hidden national meaning [that is, a message for True Israel]. He has asked for some insight into the first fifteen or so verses of John 5 and  we have some thoughts but perhaps so do many of our readers. If so, you might like to share your views so we can incorporate some of them when we answer our American friend next month. In the meantime, to gain a greater appreciation of the beautiful impact of the personal story, we invite you to read Ms. Wintringer’s inspiring words, written nearly a century ago.

An Unknown Feast. It was now early autumn. Very beautiful was the land of Galilee through which Jesus passed on His way to Jerusalem to attend what we call the "Un­known Feast," since we have no definite knowledge which feast this was. [Ed. John 2:13, Deut. 16:1 suggests it may have been the Passover]. Every road was thronged with myriads of people coming, not only from the Holy Land, but from countries distant and foreign, to attend the feast. The countless multitude flowed like an unbroken stream toward the temple to witness its imposing rites and engage in its worship. They traveled in happy, laughing bands; there were family groups, and companies of neighbors and friends whose converse relieved the tedium of the journey. But Jesus traveled alone. Did He think of that other journey to Jerusalem, when His boyish heart was fired with the desire to be about His Father's business? For this journey was undertaken in the fulfillment of that desire. The challenge of the Jewish authorities is to be met with an open claim of His Messiahship. He goes forth to encounter that active persecution unto death which shall end in the cross. It was not a time for converse even with His chosen followers. We do not wonder that He should have gone up to the feast alone and unattended.

The Magic Spring. Jesus is again in Jerusalem and John brings to us one of the most beautiful and touching incidents in His ministry; the cure at Bethesda. All attempts to identify the spot have failed. We only know that Bethesda was a pool on the north­east side of the temple and enclosed by five of its porches. Its waters were clear and tranquil except when flushed by the inflow from the Pool of Siloam with which it was connected by a subterranean channel. This sudden "in-take" caused a movement of the waters such as may be observed in any canal lock. The waters may have possessed some medicinal qualities for it was believed that the first person who stepped into the pool after "the troubling of the waters" would be cured.

Awaiting A Chance. Though only he who was first to descend into the waters could obtain any benefit, each day a great multitude of afflicted and unfortunate ones thronged the place, each hoping that he might be the fortunate recipient of the "angel's favors" for that day. There were some who had been carried to the pool every day for years untold, only to be carried back home, disappointed yet hopeful of what the morrow might bring. Some lay on soft rugs, a painful exhibition of bodily sufferings, other poor crippled unfortunates solicited alms of the passersby.

The hour is at hand when, as the superstitious waiting multitude believe, an angel will step into the pool and stir the placid waters. Already the invalids are jealously watching one another. Each is calculating the effort that must be put forth for the plunge that shall bring the coveted healing. In some instances friends and servants stand ready to aid the sufferer to grasp the opportunity. Not one is aware that a greater than the angel has come upon the scene. How slow we all are to turn to the all-powerful One who is ever ready to respond to the call of suffering! Very silently and unpretentiously Jesus comes from the temple to the pool. No trumpeting herald precedes Him to proclaim His miraculous power. How His tender compassionate heart yearns as He comes into view of all this suffering. He alone can sympathize with them, for though they know it not, He is carrying their sorrows and bearing their grief.

Friendless and Helpless. Jesus singles out the most wretched of all the wretched group. For thirty-eight years the man has been a hopeless sufferer. The gay roystering companions of youth have long since deserted him. In all the miserable, suffering multitude there is none so poor and wretched as to be his friend. For one knows not how long he has crawled his weary way to the magic spring; he has lain there, gazing drearily into the waters and watching the strife to be first down the steps to the bubbling water, until mind as well as body is now halting and benumbed. True he has made attempts to secure the coveted priority, but always ineffectually, for without the strong support of another, his inert, palsied dragging feet leave him far behind in the race. Jesus spies him out. He knows that the man's suffering and sickness have been caused by sin in early life; for one may not live a sinful, impure life without incurring the physical penalty. Yet Jesus goes to this man and asks him, "Wilt thou be made whole?"

A Despondent Answer. The man replies, "Sir, I have no man when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool ; but when I am coming, another steppeth down before me." He is willing to be healed but what is the use? It has become a regular thing for another to step down before him. [Might] as well despair of healing and settle down to a life without hope. Surely the poor brain has become hopelessly dulled. It almost seems as though he must be blind as well, or hope would have come in response to the tender compassion of that face so gentle, so strong, so full of conscious power. He is startled from his apathy by the stranger's tone of command, "Rise, take up thy bed and walk." There was power in that voice as well. What the magic spring has failed to do through all the long waiting years Jesus accomplishes in an instant. The man takes up his bed and walks away. Why remain at the pool when he is now every whit whole? Jesus would have him leave Bethesda, and away with the pallet which he no longer needs. The Great Physician always prescribed action for those healed.

The Letter Killeth. What does it mean? No angel has appeared to trouble the waters, and yet this man, for thirty-eight years known among them as a poor impotent, semi-paralytic, is now full of life and vigor, and is carrying his mattress on his back as with long firm steps he makes his way through the crowd. Never had he known such a holy Sabbath day. Ah, the hypocrisy of it! The rabbis do not desire the Messiah; they seek to destroy Him and His works. Even now they are conniving to lessen the impression which such a miracle must produce upon the people. Their glance falls upon the man. So strong is he that the bed which he carries at Jesus' command is no burden; he does not even feel its weight, but the rabbis make it the pretext for criticism of the cure. They waylay him and pry him with questions. Does he not know it is not lawful to carry a burden on the Sabbath? When he tells of the command that accompanied Jesus' cure, they purposely omit all reference to the miracle and ask, "What man is it that said unto thee, Take up thy bed and walk?" And strange to say the healed man had not been possessed of sufficient curiosity to discover the name of his Healer! How many receive His daily benefits and know not the Giver!

Meets His New Found Friend. Though the one healed has so little interest in Jesus, Jesus keeps him in view. Finding him in the temple, he congratulates the man on his restoration. Jesus knew human nature. Even the resultant life-long punishment does not break the power of sin over the body. Though the man knew what had caused all those years of suffering, the end of those thirty­-eight years found poor human nature so prone to sin that Jesus sees that restored health will bring only fresh liability to fall. Just as He warns us to watch and pray, He warns the healed man, "Sin no more lest a worse thing come upon thee."

Confession. At the pool the poor unfortunate had been healed by Jesus; in the temple he was converted by Jesus' words. He who had been so indifferent to his benefactor as not to ask His name, now knows without asking that Jesus has made him whole, and he returns to the rabbis to testify of Him, and these self-righteous rabbis accuse Jesus of Sabbath breaking! For the first time Jesus publicly answers His accusers and declared Himself as the Son of God, who worked with the Father and to whom all judgment is committed. With majestic mien He turns to His accusers and declares that the Scriptures they claim to reverence, and Moses, whom they honor, "testify of Me." If they do not believe in Jesus they do not believe in the Scriptures or in Moses. Every word fell as a lash upon these proud, scornful rabbis, and more than ever did they seek to destroy Jesus.

Quiz. 1. Did the impotent man ask Jesus to cure him? 2. Did he manifest faith in Jesus' power to cure? . 3. Was he grateful for the cure? 4. What did this manifest to Jesus? 5. What effect did the warning have?

Seed Thoughts. 1. The most credulous are often destitute of real faith. 2. True love always bestows its favors upon the most needy. 3. Many pray and go to God's house as the impotent man went to Bethesda, not expecting help. 4. Criticism of others is never a sign of righteousness of the individual. 5. If the benefits we receive from God do not result in conversion, they only enhance our danger.