In the story of a man healed by the Pool of Bethesda, we see a man who accepted the gift but ignored the giver. Jesus seemed to specifically pick this man to heal. When Jesus told him to stand, pick up his mat, and walk, the man did immediately. The miraculous healing enabled the man to do something he had not done for thirty-eight years.
The healed man left the pool without even knowing Jesus’ name. The story has no record of the man ever saying thank you or expressing any gratitude. In fact, when the Jewish leadership accused him of breaking the law, the man seemed more eager to blame his healer for getting him in trouble than to celebrate the healing.
Jesus Sought Him a Second Time
Later, Jesus sought the healed man in the Temple and warned him not to sin anymore. Scripture doesn’t record any conversation by the man. Many times, a miracle will cause the recipient to seek out God. It doesn’t seem to be the case here. The healed man appears to have missed the fact that his healing pointed to God in the flesh, Messiah Jesus. We don’t see this man seeking a relationship with Jesus.
Jesus told the man to stop sinning but did not forgive him as He did with the paralyzed man lowered through the roof. This man had experienced physical healing but did not seek spiritual healing by turning from his sin. On the contrary, the healed man betrayed Jesus to the Jewish authorities. The man knew Jesus’ name but was ignorant of Jesus’ identity.
Seek the Giver
It is possible to experience a miracle and still not receive salvation. The man by the pool received his physical health back when Jesus healed him. Physical healing on this earth is only temporary, as we all will die at some point. That’s why spiritual healing is more important. It is eternal. Jesus knew this man needed to repent of his sins and begin to follow Him, but we have nothing recorded that this ever happened.
Jesus is the only one who can provide spiritual healing with His forgiveness. 1 Peter 2: 24 He (Jesus) personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. [1] We don’t want to accept God’s blessings for this life but miss God, the One who gives these gifts. Seek out Jesus for your forgiveness and spiritual healing and restoration.
To learn about a man who accepted the gift but ignored the giver, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/healing-at-a-pool
[1] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation (1 Pe 2:24). Tyndale House Publishers.