Pool of Bethesda John 5:1-9 Do you want to be healed?

Crumbs from the table of the rich man---pool of Bethesda ----anything in common?
At the pool of Bethesda gathered many of the lame, sick ,blind,crippled, the unclean of that day. The pool was next to the sheep gate ---the entry of the sacrifice into the temple. These people who were sick were not allowed into the temple -- "The first gate mentioned in the rebuilding of Jerusalem was known as the Sheep Gate. It is believed to have been a gate in the eastern wall, near the pool of Bethesda [1], and it is believed that this was the gate by which the offerings or sacrifices were brought into the temple. In fact, it is suggested that this was the first gate rebuilt BECAUSE it was used for this purpose!!"
Bethesda --means house of mercy!  Beth--house of--- Scene of destitution and need!
Was it the Bethesda YMCA?
In the pool of Bethesda the entrails of the sacrificed animals were washed. So the pool , far from being a clean , warm , bath,  was a bloody pool of water.  The blood of the lambs thus were a Foreshadowing of the blood sacrifice of the Messiah; and the stirring of the waters in verses 4 and 7 refers to the washing of these entrails in the water. These people then, who could not enter the temple, to seek healing as part of the sacrifice and remission of sins happening therein, chose to bathe in this cast off of the sacrifice. And perhaps in that way they could receive healing.
So, it is significant that Jesus came to this pool on a feast day ---when sacrifice was being performed in the temple----and asked the paralysed man if he wanted to be healed. The question; "Do you want to be healed?" seems obvious. Helplessness can lead to hopelessness (give up and become despondent); helplessness can lead to laziness, (inactivity becomes comfortable); helplessness can lead to  uselessness. (forced inactivity lead to a sense of uselessness).
Paralysis ---physical, mental, due to abuse, spiritual through sin, lack of trust in God, unforgiveness etc. Miracles are signs of something else----you follow it to its conclusion.
Verse 6 --Jesus saw him lying there--Jesus is attracted to weakness .(Big smile here).  His mission was to the poor, the blind, the oppressed, as in Isaiah. Our weaknesses qualify us--they do not exclude us from Jesus. "It is not the well who need a physician". Matthew 9:12.
 And healed him! John 5:14 "Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you". Was his paralysis self-inflicted?   Every act of Jesus in our lives depends on His initiation (His death on the cross for us) , our obedience (get up and walk) and our not looking to any source (the pool ) other than Him.
Don't be passive.  Romans 1:5  --obedience from faith.
Do the impossible! Get up! He never gives us a command we can naturally fulfill. They require He, Himself,  to fulfill them . 1Thess 5:24.
Many are called but few are chosen  --most remain passive and do not respond.
Will of human being harmonized with will of God --things happen!
Unforgiveness --a very paralzying force.Choose to forgive.
A sin that besets---turn as much as you can---God will turn the rest of the way!
Get up, pick up your mat and walk. Why, pick up your mat? Your bed ? In order to make no provision for a relapse!!!!! I'm not coming back to this!!!!

God has redeemed us so that we might have life and have it more abundantly."For the thief comes
in order to steal, kill and destroy. I came that they may have and enjoy life, and have it in abundance."

We don't have to depend on scraps from the rich man's table nor part of the blessing of God's sacrifice for us.  Take it all----He bought it for you!