We met two women who had been sick for twelve and eighteen years, which seemed like a long time to suffer. Similarly, for years, we were trapped in pornography addiction, feeling stuck in darkness. But just as Jesus brought healing to them, He also turned our lives around and brought His light into our situation.
Now, let’s talk about another story. There was a man who had been sick for thirty-eight years. He was weak and suffering. He had lost all hope and was lying on the floor of Bethesda, with no family or friends to help him. But miraculously, Jesus healed him. After healing him, Jesus warned him, saying, “You are now healed, but do not sin again, or something worse may happen to you.”
“Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you’” (John 5:14).
From such a warning, one might assume that his suffering was the direct result of his sinful actions, leading to a lifelong struggle with disability and fragility.
This man lies in front of the Bethesda pool, trying to jump in when the water is troubled. He is disabled, lonely, and has no family or friends to help him. Many of us find ourselves in similar situations, trapped in a world of lust and addiction to porn. Pornography has influenced our decisions, words, and behavior, causing us to lose friends and push away our family. We feel like walking zombies, lacking a pulse in our hearts. We hear about the Bethesda pool and its slim chance of healing, so we make it our new home after losing our bright future.
While witnessing the same miracle occur to others around us, we can only marvel at the one in a thousand who dares to jump into the water, leaving us hoping we could be next.
I often think about how many times the scenario of overcoming my addiction to porn has crossed my mind. Despite being addicted for so many years, I still read about people who have overcome it. My heart tells me that the chances are slim, but I am convinced it’s my only opportunity.
I feel distant from You, Lord, and my eyes cannot see You. Yet, You take care of me and come to me in moments of weakness. You come to me in the pool of Bethesda, in the middle of my sickness, and in the images and videos that tempt me. Oh Lord, You seek my soul.
This man was crippled for thirty-eight years. He sat in his spot, facing the water, becoming numb to life. He couldn’t even take a shower, leaving him smelly and miserable, waiting for a change while sitting in his dirt. His only hope was watching the water as it moved only once. He had to pay attention and be quick. Because of his disease, he always failed to reach the water on time.
This man is like many of us. We’ve been addicted to our way of life for a long time. We’re used to our disease and sit alone in misery. Sometimes we try to break the habit, but we forget that without God, we can’t do it. Sin led us here, and now porn keeps us from healing. For thirty-eight years, we’ve tried to overcome this addiction, but we’ve failed. We see others who’ve broken free and think they’re stronger than us. We try to convince ourselves that this time, we’ll have the strength to change and become new, but we always fail. God wasn’t part of our journey at all. Probably, we lived our lives without knowing Jesus. We never went to church, not even as children.
The man at the pool of Bethesda was there before Jesus was born. Jesus lived for about thirty-three years. The Bible confirms this while this man sat at Bethesda for thirty-eight years.
“But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place” (John 5:13).
He believes in God. However, his mind tells him that God has abandoned him and doesn’t care anymore. Maybe that’s why Jesus chose to heal him—to show him love and care. He looks around and sees many sick people at the pool. They are waiting for the water to be troubled, just like he is. After thirty-eight years, hope fades from our hearts. We give up, like the man at the pool, waiting for death. We convince ourselves that our willpower is useless. We believe we’ll stay here until we die. But God said in the Bible that He passes by and His time is love.
“When I passed by you again and looked upon you, indeed your time was the time of love; so I spread My wing over you and covered your nakedness. Yes, I swore an oath to you and entered into a covenant with you, and you became Mine,” says the Lord God” (Ezekiel 16:8).
Love is why Jesus went to the pool to heal the man who didn’t ask for help. Jesus is the one who started it all. He saw the man lying down and began talking to him. He asked a simple question:
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” (John 5:7 ESV).
The sick man’s answer showed that he focused on earthly solutions. He had lived a sinful life, which led to his current sickness. Now, he had no one to help him. He could try to move toward the water, but he would only be able to move a few inches. His answer also revealed regret, indicating that he had done bad things that left him alone from the beginning. He didn’t express frustration about his life or his disease. He simply expressed his desire to get better and the fact that he had no one to assist him.
This man’s desire and will are what Jesus seeks to perform miracles. It’s the key to his heart, and it was sufficient for Jesus to work with.
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. (John 5:8-9).
It’s incredible how all our suffering, defeat, misery, and darkness can disappear with just one word from Jesus. However, sometimes we try to find other ways to heal before turning to Him, relying on our willpower or strength. The Bible shows that after Jesus spoke to the sick man, he immediately rose and took up his bed. Jesus’ words and intervention not only healed the man’s sickness but also gave him the power to stand on feet that hadn’t supported his body for thirty-eight years.
God searches for sinners, even if they have become accustomed to their way of life and have lost hope. Even when we lack the power to move forward, God still seeks us out. If He sees our genuine will and desire to change, He will provide both help and the strength to overcome. It is amazing to think that a man who couldn’t stand for thirty-eight years suddenly found the ability to walk. Even after sitting for a long time, we often feel our legs can’t bear our weight, but this person not only stood but also carried his bed.
God is faithful even if we are not.
“The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, ‘It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed’” (John 5:10).
The Jews confronted the man for breaking the Sabbath. He explained that the one who healed him instructed him to do so. It became clear to the man that the Jews saw Jesus’ actions as Sabbath-breaking, but he didn’t personally know Jesus.
Jesus healed a man who didn’t know or believe in Him. Being a Christian isn’t necessary to approach Jesus. He said that anyone who asks will receive, not just Christians. He is always seeking everyone and is ready to help.
“And other sheep I have which are not of this fold; them also I must bring, and they will hear My voice; and there will be one flock and one shepherd” (John 10:16).
If you are not a Christian, you can still ask for help in your heart. Seek it, and you will be empowered like the sick man at Bethesda.
Jesus warned him not to sin again, or else things would get worse. The Bible doesn’t tell us what happened next, but right after Jesus warned him, he went to the Jews who accused him of doing an unlawful thing by carrying his bed. He revealed Jesus’ identity to them, telling the Jews that it was Jesus who told him so, instead of thanking God and staying quiet so Jesus wouldn’t get in trouble with the Jews. But these words have been written to remind us that God, prior to knowledge of our relapse, won’t prevent His healing power. As long as we seek Him, His door will be open. No wonder when we ask Him to teach us to pray, He starts by saying “Our Father.” He loves that title and has His arms wide open to His children, no matter how often they relapse because of their weaknesses.
We struggle with porn and don’t know how to break free. Jesus can heal us and give us a fresh start and the power to move forward. However, it’s up to us to decide what we do with that new beginning. Sometimes, we make the wrong choices and go back to sin even after being healed. But Jesus remains faithful to us although we are not faithful to Him.
My fellow fighter, Jesus approaches you daily, whispering in your ears. He says, “Do you want to heal? Don’t focus on how crippled or smelly you are, or how old you’ve become in this habit. I am your God, and I ask you: ‘Do you want to heal?’ Do a small action that can say yes; stand before Me and say yes. Give Me those minutes in prayer, and I’ll look at them as a will to change. I’ll give you the power to rise and carry your bed. Even if you relapse after, it won’t hinder My healing power. I will still heal you. I know your weaknesses. I will give you the strength to overcome them. Be courageous.
Win this battle.
