We left off looking at how the sheep’s gate was made by the high priest, Eliashib and that the gate was used to usher in the sacrificial lambs. Today we move on to look at what the people where doing there.

John 5:3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. (4) For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.

Many people read over this and if your bible notes make any mention of it at all it will say, “as was supposed.” Because yes, there isn’t any proof that anyone was ever healed at this pool and that it was probably just local legend, but there is so much more here so let’s break it down.

First off, God never told anyone to be healed this way. None of these people are looking to God to be healed; they are seeking after some angel. It doesn’t tell us the angel was sent from God. Whose to say that this isn’t a fallen angel?

Second, I want you to look at the larger picture being shown here. This is where Christ should be and instead these people are waiting for an angel. Much like before Christ returns and Satan stands in his spot claiming to be God. The waters or the sea is often a symbol of the peoples of the world and this angel waits for the waters to calm so it can trouble them. Remind you of anyone? What does Christ do with the waters?

Mark 4:36-41 And when they had sent away the multitude, they took him even as he was in the ship. And there were also with him other little ships. (37) And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. (38) And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? (39) And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. (40) And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith? (41) And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?

You all know this story. Christ does the exact opposite to the waters. Looking at John 5:3, who is it that this great angel heals? The first into the water.. but what does God tell us?

Mark 10:30-31 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (31) But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

Lastly, are we supposed to be stepping into the water or standing on the Rock? When Peter walked on the water it was only when he took his eyes off the Savior did he go in.

In the next segment we will be looking at the one guy in this great multitude that Christ takes out of this multitude to heal. Hope you tune in, God Bless