Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1917-02-24
Jesus at the Pool Of Bethesda
Commentary Sunday
BY z. =. WALKER. D. D.

/
BY e. r. WALKER, D. D.
No doubt there were many things In
the life OF Jesus which would be Of ex-
ceeding interest, II we had the record
Of them. At the close Of this Gospel
John tells us that there were many
other things which Jesus did, which, il
they were written, every one, he sup
posed that the world itself could not
contain the books that should be writ
ten. And no doubt all Of these many
unwritten things were done by Jesus
as the God Man, and in the fulfillment
OF His earthly ministry, and for the
salvation of men. John, under the d.
rection of the Spirit of truth, selected
only a few Of the sayings and deeds of
God incarnate; and these were written
that those who read might believe that
He Is the Son of God, and that they
might have life through Him.
Only one event Of His ministry In His
own country at this time is mentioned
the healing of the son of the noble
man of Capernaum which was the sub
ject OF last lesson. That was all that
was deemed proper for the purposes of
this Book. And now we are to study
OF another important event. but back in
Judea, and again at a feast
EXPLANATORY.
Time: A. ID. 80.
Place: Jerusalem.
After this-How long after we are
not told, and we have no way of know
ing certainly. II we knew what feast
is referred to in the following words
we could conjecture as to the chron-
ology. But It seems from the reading
to have been soon after the healing OF
the son of the nobleman. IT so the
stay OF Jesus in Galilce this time was
quite brief-there was a feast Of the
is a great variety Of
opinions as to what this feast was.
Calvin reasons fairly; Though the
evangelist does not state what feast
this was. yet tho proba bic conjecture is
that he means Pentecost, at least IL
" hat is here related took place immcd-
iatclyrafter that Christ came into Cali
Ice. For immediately after the Pass
over lie set out from Jerusalem, and
rs He was passing through Samaria.
He reckoncd four months to the har-
vest: having entered Gaiilee He cured
the courticrs son. The evangelist adds
that the feast came afterward: and
therefore the order Of time leads us to
conclude that we ought to understa nd
it to be Pcntecost; though do not dis
putc about the natter."-and Jesus
went up to Jerusalem. AS a Jew. but
as the proclaimer Of His
gospel to the multitldcs which would
again be gathered in the city.
Now there is at Jerusalem by the
sheep market,Its location is I'M
known certainly, by us; but it was
doubtless q place where sheep were
gathered to sell for sacrifice-a pool
A swimming place, such as nearly all
ancient cities had for public baths
which is called in the Hebrew Bethesda,
House of Mercy: so named probably
from the fame of the pool as a healing
five porches. The word
means covered place, which common
~ surrounded a building place of
shelter from heat and rain. This place
had five such porches, because many
people resortcd there.
In these lay great multitude of i'm
potent folk, People with various all
ments. In those days of less science
and sanitary knowledge and observ-
ince there was greater proportion of
sick folks than even in these days of
lver- eating and other harmful indur-
blind, halt, withered,--Tn
hat country there were very many per-
sons whose eyes were affected, and
many lame, and a kind Of palsy that
ra used the body to wither and dry
waiting for the moving of the water.
Il WAS probably an intermittent spring
~ gcyscr: some sort of mineral water
hat mad healing virtue, or was sup
posed to have-for healing springs
generally arc not so true IS their repn-
|ation is good.
And certain man was there, which
had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
Poor health seeking invalid, like so
many in these days, vainly searching
for remedy for life's ills; and like sin
sick souls seeking holiness in some vain
pursuit,
When Jesus saw him lie, and knew
that he had been a long time in that
"a Sc, The dear Lord was deeply touch
ed with sympathy at the mans dread
full plight. lie saw him Ming in utter
helplessness. and knew by His omnis-
atence, or by some one giving II inn the
Information which He might have
gained from himself Such vision and
such knowledge were enough to move
an ordinary man; how much more in
Love.-he saith unto him, Wilt
thou be made whole? Certainly that
was the explanation of his being in
hat place--a chronic health seeker
Yet probably the man was convinced
hat he never would be well again, but
VAS there simply for some relief But
Jesus spoke of perfect health which
he word whole" meant.
The impotent man answered him.
Of course his interest was aroused,
infirmity was with
him a confirmed habit, and he was
'ager at such suggestion as any allie
'iation whatever.-Sir, ! have no man, !
when the water is troubled, to put mo
nto the pool:-The man was friendless
Is well as helpless. There was none 10
lelp. The man had faith in the heal |