110
The Spirit of Prophecy Volume 2
the doubt and anxiety of his mind, were fast wearing away the poor
remnant of his strength.
Jesus visited this retreat of misery, and his eye rested upon this
helpless invalid. The poor creature was weak and despairing, but as
the looked-for moment arrived, he gathered his feeble energies in a last
effort to reach the water, but, just as he had almost gained his object,
another stepped in before him. He crept back to his pallet to die. But a
pitying face bends over him, saying, “Wilt thou be made whole?” The
desponding man looked up, thinking it might be some one who had
come to assist him into the pool; but the faint glow of encouragement
faded out of his heart when he remembered that it was too late, his
opportunity for that time was gone, and, in his state of sickness and
exposure, he could scarcely hope that he might live to see another.
He turned away wearily, saying, “Sir, I have no man, when the
water is troubled, to me into the pool; but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me.” Poor man! how could he hope to contend
successfully with the selfish, scrambling crowd! Jesus did not ask
this wretched sufferer to exercise faith in him; but with a voice of
command said, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” A sudden vigor was
communicated to the paralyzed cripple. His whole being was stirred
with a healing power, new blood and strength leaped into every limb
and member. He bounded to his feet in obedience to the Saviour’s
[159]
command, and stooped to take up his bed, which was only a simple rug
and blanket. As he straightened himself again, with a sense of delight
at standing upon his feet after so many years of helpless infirmity, he
looked around for his deliverer, but he was nowhere to be seen. Jesus
was lost in the crowd, and the restored paralytic feared that he would
not know him again if he should see him. He was disappointed, for
he longed to pour forth his gratitude to the stranger. As he hurried
on toward Jerusalem, with firm, free step, praising God as he went,
and rejoicing in his new-found strength, he met the Pharisees, and
immediately related to them the wonderful cure he had experienced.
He was surprised at the coolness with which they listened to his story.
Presently they interrupted him by asking why he was carrying that
bed on the Sabbath day. They sternly reminded him that it was not
lawful for him to bear burdens upon the Lord’s day. In his joy the man
had forgotten that it was the Sabbath; yet he felt no condemnation for
obeying the command of one who had power from God to perform so