Jesus and his disciples were heading back to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival.
As they went up to Jerusalem, the disciples noticed that they were heading up towards the Sheep Gate, where the Pool of Bethesda sat.
The Pool of Bethesda was a place where many people went to get healed, whether they were blind, lame, or paralyzed.
“Lord,” the disciples said. “Surely you do not want to go in by this way, as a lot of disabled people are there.”
“I will go in this way,” Jesus said firmly. “The glory of my father must be shown to everyone. Even the disabled.”
The disciples were confused but followed Jesus up to the entrance. When they went inside, they were astonished at how many people were waiting by the Pool of Bethesda to be healed.
Jesus looked at an invalid sitting on a mat by the pool, then turned to someone at the pool, watching. “How long has this man been like this.”
“Thirty-eight years,” they replied. “He has never had the chance to get healed.”
Jesus went over to the invalid and bent down beside him. “Do you want to be healed?” he asked him.
The man looked up. “Sir,” he replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the time has come. And while I am trying to get in by myself, someone always gets in ahead of me, so I never have the opportunity to be healed.”
Jesus straightened. “Get up!” he exclaimed. “Pick up your mat and walk.”
The invalid gaped at him, but then slowly stood up. He took his mat and walked around. Then he laughed. “Praise be to God, our Father in Heaven, that he noticed me and gave me his mercy!”
People who had witnessed this began to murmur to each other, but Jesus ignored them and slipped away.