Wanna dip in the pool?

“2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, 

waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years.  6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:2-6 ESV)

If you have read this passage of John 5, you know what follows: Jesus healed the man who had no idea who Jesus was, no faith, no belief, yet Jesus, in His mercy and grace, healed the man at the pool of Bethesda.

I want to look at something a little different than I usually would. I want to point out some historical points. I want to do this because if you have visited our ministry and do not know Christ, I would like for you to understand that Jesus is not just a religious concept but a real God/man who walked this earth—a historical figure, not a fictional character and not someone made up to help people live a moral life.

God exists, and Christ's miracles in His earthly ministry were not just acts of wonder but powerful demonstrations of God's glory. The miracle at the pool of Bethesda, a historic event, was a testament to God's power and glory. Jesus is real. As much as the humanists, atheists, and agnostics would, Jesus was not. He is, and because He is a triune being, so are God the Father and the Holy Spirit.

I agree with Paul Washer that there are only two religions in the world: Christianity and everything else. Everything else requires that the believer do something to be “awakened,” go to “paradise,” “live a good life,” and to “be a good person.” True Christianity requires no works on the believer's part to be saved, forgiven their sins, and receive the gift of eternal life.  All that is needed is to profess faith in Christ as your Savior, the Son of God who died on the cross, rose from the dead, resurrected in an eternal body, and repent of your sins.

Shinotists, Taoists, Buddhists, Confucianists, and Muslims receive no promise of salvation. There is no guarantee of their eternity. Only in Christ, in Christianity, is there a promise and assurances of salvation.

At the pool of Bethesda, Jesus performed a miracle that glorified God. This pool, a physical entity, stands as a testament to the reality of Jesus' miracles. The Pilate stone, a historical artifact, confirms the existence of Pontius Pilate. The tomb of Caiaphas, a tangible structure, reminds us of the historical context of Christianity. These tangible roots of Christianity provide a solid foundation for those who question the truth of the gospel and the factual account of the eyewitnesses to Christ and His sacrifice.

Are you a gambler? Do you gamble with your money? Are you willing to gamble with your eternity? Are you willing to roll the dice that Christianity is a fairy tale? Heaven or Hell? Where would you prefer? Hell is not a party; it is not where the “fun is.” Hell is darkness, isolation, fire, pain, and suffering for an eternity.

Your choice, make it wisely, I pray you, make it wisely. Because a time will come when the hand of Salvation will be withdrawn, and we as humans may not live into the next minute. Open your heart to the Lord.

Grace and Peace!