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The Desire of Ages
to the porches. But at the favored moment he had no one to help him
in. He had seen the rippling of the water, but had never been able to
get farther than the edge of the pool. Others stronger than he would
plunge in before him. He could not contend successfully with the
selfish, scrambling crowd. His persistent efforts toward the one object,
and his anxiety and continual disappointment, were fast wearing away
the remnant of his strength.
The sick man was lying on his mat, and occasionally lifting his
head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent over
him, and the words, “Wilt thou be made whole?” arrested his attention.
Hope came to his heart. He felt that in some way he was to have help.
But the glow of encouragement soon faded. He remembered how often
he had tried to reach the pool, and now he had little prospect of living
till it should again be troubled. He turned away wearily, saying, “Sir, I
have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but
while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
Jesus does not ask this sufferer to exercise faith in Him. He simply
says, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.” But the man’s faith takes hold
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upon that word. Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and
healthful action comes to his crippled limbs. Without question he sets
his will to obey the command of Christ, and all his muscles respond to
his will. Springing to his feet, he finds himself an active man.
Jesus had given him no assurance of divine help. The man might
have stopped to doubt, and lost his one chance of healing. But he
believed Christ’s word, and in acting upon it he received strength.
Through the same faith we may receive spiritual healing. By sin
we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls are palsied.
Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy life than was
the impotent man capable of walking. There are many who realize
their helplessness, and who long for that spiritual life which will bring
them into harmony with God; they are vainly striving to obtain it. In
despair they cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me
from this body of death?”
Romans 7:24
, margin. Let these desponding,
struggling ones look up. The Saviour is bending over the purchase of
His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, “Wilt thou
be made whole?” He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to
feel that you are made whole. Believe His word, and it will be fulfilled.
Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting