From Long Suffering to Living Hope

*In the city of Jerusalem, (John 5)near the Sheep Gate, lay a pool surrounded by broken people—forsaken, sick, diseased, suffering masses. Among them was one man who had been there for 38 long years. Almost four decades of pain. Decades of waiting. His tears had dried up. Hope had silently slipped away.

He was like someone lying outside a hospital ward—no doctor, no nurse, no medicine, no care. When Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” his answer was heartbreaking:

“Sir,  I have no one.”

No one to help him. No one to carry him. No one to remember him.

Thirty-eight years of darkness—but then Light walked in.

Jesus did not stir the water. He did not ask for history. He spoke eight powerful words:

“Get up, take up your bed, and walk.”

That single word ended decades of suffering. Strength entered weak legs. Hope replaced despair. The man rose—carrying what once carried him.

And where do we find him next?

In the temple.

Worship followed healing. Gratitude followed grace.

Are you the one who has suffered for years?

Long sickness. Long waiting. Long loneliness.

Hear this today: one visitation, one word from Jesus can change everything.

Jesus is speaking even now through His Word. 

Get up. Walk. Your suffering does not have the final word.

Amen.

*selected.conversation with Jesus