4 th Sunday From Easter Sunday of the Paralytic

4 th Sunday From Easter Sunday of the Paralytic Κυριακή Δ από του Πάσχα, Του Παραλύτου Όρθρος Κυριακής στις 8:45 π.μ. και Θ. Λειτουργία στις 10:00 π.μ. Sunday Orthros at 8:45 a.m. and D. Liturgy at 10:00 a.m. Presiding Priest: Fr. Nicholas Dassouras 7 Μαΐου 2017 7 May 2017

Ήχος γ Εωθινόν Ε Tone: 3 rd Morning Gospel: 5 th Τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ, Κυριακῇ τετάρτῃ ἀπὸ τοῦ Πάσχα, τοῦ Παραλύτου μνείαν ποιούμεθα καὶ ὡς εἰκὸς τὸ τοιοῦτον ἑορτάζομεν θαῦμα, τῇ αὐτῇ ἡμέρᾳ τὴν ἀνάμνησιν ἑορτάζομεν τοῦ ἐν οὐρανῷ φανέντος σημείου τοῦ τιμίου Σταυροῦ ἐπὶ Κωνσταντίου βασιλέως, υἱοῦ τοῦ Μεγάλου Κωνσταντίνου, καὶ Κυρίλλου Ἀρχιεπισκόπου Ἱεροσολύμων, τὴν μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Ἀκακίου, τὴν μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Κοδράτου καὶ τῶν σὺν αὐτῷ, τὴν μνήμη τοῦ Ὁσίου Πατρὸς ἡμῶν καὶ Ὁμολογητοῦ Ἰωάννου τοῦ Ψυχαΐτου & τὴν μνήμη τοῦ Ἁγίου Μάρτυρος Μαξίμου

On this day, the fourth Sunday of Pascha, we remember the Paralytic, and appropriately celebrate the miracle worked on him, we, also, commemorate the Appearance of the Sign of the Precious Cross in the sky, during the reign of the Emperor Constantius, son of Saint Constantine the Great, when Cyril was Archbishop of Jerusalem and the memory of the holy Martyr Akakios, of the holy Martyr Quadratus and those with him, of our devout Father John Psychaites, the Confessor and of the holy Martyr Maximus

ΝΕΑ ΤΗΣ ΗΜΕΡΑΣ / NEWS OF THE DAY Σαραντισμός της Δέσποινας Σεντιμέντη και του υιού της Νικολάου Σταύρου Fortieth Day Blessing (Churching) for Despina Sentementes and her son Nicholas Stavros Εξάμηνον Μνημόσυνον υπέρ αναπαύσεως του δούλου του Θεού Παναγιώτου Κουμασίδη & Τριετές Μνημόσυνον υπέρ αναπαύσεως του δούλου του Θεού Πλάτωνος Κουκίδη Sixth Month Day Memorial Service for the servant of God Panagiotis Koumasidis & Third Year Memorial Service for the servant of God Platon Koukidis

Η Μακαρία, ο καφές & τα γλυκά που θα προσφερθούν στην κοινοτική αίθουσα μετά την Θ. Λειτουργία εις μνήμη Παναγιώτου Κουμασίδη & Πλάτωνος Κουκίδη είναι προσφορά από τις οικογένειες τους The Coffee Fellowship Hour which will be offered at the church house, following the Divine Liturgy, is offered in memory of Panagiotis Koumasidis & Platon Koukidis by their families

Ἀπολυτίκιον της Πάσχα, Ἦχος πλ. α' Χριστὸς ἀνέστη ἐκ νεκρῶν, θανάτῳ θάνατον πατήσας, καὶ τοῖς ἐν τοῖς μνήμασι, ζωὴν χαρισάμενος. Αναστάσιμον Απολυτίκιον. Ἦχος γ. Εὐφραινέσθω τὰ οὐράνια, ἀγαλλιάσθω τὰ ἐπίγεια, ὅτι ἐποίησε κράτος, ἐν βραχίονι αὐτοῦ, ὁ Κύριος, ἐπάτησε τῷ θανάτῳ τὸν θάνατον, πρωτότοκος τῶν νεκρῶν ἐγένετο, ἐκ κοιλίας ᾅδου ἐρρύσατο ἡμᾶς, καὶ παρέσχε κόσμῳ τὸ μέγα ἔλεος. Απολυτίκιον Αγίου Γεωργίου, Hχος δ. Ὡς τῶν αἰχμαλώτων ἐλευθερωτὴς καὶ τῶν πτωχῶν ὑπερασπιστής, ἀσθενούντων ἰατρός, βασιλέων ὑπέρμαχος, Τροπαιοφόρε Μεγαλομάρτυς Γεώργιε, πρεσβεῦε Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ, σωθῆναι τάς ψυχὰς ἠμῶν. Κοντάκιον,Ἦχος πλ. δ' Εἰ καὶ ἐν τάφῳ κατῆλθες ἀθάνατε, ἀλλὰ τοῦ ᾍδου καθεῖλες τὴν δύναμιν, καὶ ἀνέστης ὡς νικητής, Χριστὲ ὁ Θεός, γυναιξὶ Μυροφόροις φθεγξάμενος. Χαίρετε, καὶ τοῖς σοῖς Ἀποστόλοις εἰρήνην δωρούμενος ὁ τοῖς πεσοῦσι παρέχων ἀνάστασιν.

Αpolytikion of Εaster, Plagal First Tone Christ is risen from the dead, trampling down death by death, and upon those in the tombs bestowing life. Αpolytikion of Resurrection, Third Tone Let the heavens rejoice and the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the power of his reign: he has conquered death by death, and become the first born of the dead. He has delivered us from the depths of Hades, and has granted the world great mercy. Αpolytikion for St. George, Tone Fourth As the one renowned for setting captives free, and for defending those in poverty, the physician of the sick and the champion of kings, do thou, o Victory-bearer and Great Martyr George, intercede to Christ our God for the salvation of our souls. Kontakion, Tone Plagal Fourth Though You went down into the tomb, You destroyed Hades' power, and You rose the victor, Christ God, saying to the myrrhbearing women, "Hail!" and granting peace to Your disciples, You who raise up the fallen.

Αποστολικόν Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ των Πράξεων των Αποστόλων 9:32-42 Ἐν ταῖς ἡμεραῖς ἐκείναις, ἐγένετο δὲ Πέτρον διερχόμενον διὰ πάντων κατελθεῖν καὶ πρὸς τοὺς ἁγίους τοὺς κατοικοῦντας Λύδδα. Εὗρεν δὲ ἐκεῖ ἄνθρωπόν τινα ὀνόματι Αἰνέαν ἐξ ἐτῶν ὀκτὼ κατακείμενον ἐπὶ κραβάττου, ὃς ἦν παραλελυμένος. Καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ ὁ Πέτρος, Αἰνέα, ἰᾶταί σε Ιησοῦς Χριστός ἀνάστηθι καὶ στρῶσον σεαυτῷ. καὶ εὐθέως ἀνέστη. Καὶ εἶδαν αὐτὸν πάντες οἱ κατοικοῦντες Λύδδα καὶ τὸν Σαρῶνα, οἵτινες ἐπέστρεψαν ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον. Εν Ιόππῃ δέ τις ἦν μαθήτρια ὀνόματι Ταβιθά, ἣ διερμηνευομένη λέγεται Δορκάς αὕτη ἦν πλήρης ἔργων ἀγαθῶν καὶ ἐλεημοσυνῶν ὧν ἐποίει. Ἐγένετο δὲ ἐν ταῖς ἡμέραις ἐκείναις ἀσθενήσασαν αὐτὴν ἀποθανεῖν λούσαντες δὲ [αὐτὴν] ἔθηκαν ἐν ὑπερῴῳ. Ἐγγὺς δὲ οὔσης Λύδδας τῇ Ιόππῃ οἱ μαθηταὶ ἀκούσαντες ὅτι Πέτρος ἐστὶν ἐν αὐτῇ ἀπέστειλαν δύο ἄνδρας πρὸς αὐτὸν παρακαλοῦντες, Μὴ ὀκνήσῃς διελθεῖν ἕως ἡμῶν. Ἀναστὰς δὲ Πέτρος συνῆλθεν αὐτοῖς ὃν παραγενόμενον ἀνήγαγον εἰς τὸ ὑπερῷον, καὶ παρέστησαν αὐτῷ πᾶσαι αἱ χῆραι κλαίουσαι καὶ ἐπιδεικνύμεναι χιτῶνας καὶ ἱμάτια ὅσα ἐποίει μετ αὐτῶν οὖσα ἡ Δορκάς. Ἐκβαλὼν δὲ ἔξω πάντας ὁ Πέτρος καὶ θεὶς τὰ γόνατα προσηύξατο, καὶ ἐπιστρέψας πρὸς τὸ σῶμα εἶπεν, Ταβιθά, ἀνάστηθι. ἡ δὲ ἤνοιξεν τοὺς ὀφθαλμοὺς αὐτῆς, καὶ ἰδοῦσα τὸν Πέτρον ἀνεκάθισεν. Δοὺς δὲ αὐτῇ χεῖρα ἀνέστησεν αὐτήν, φωνήσας δὲ τοὺς ἁγίους καὶ τὰς χήρας παρέστησεν αὐτὴν ζῶσαν. Γνωστὸν δὲ ἐγένετο καθ ὅλης [τῆς] Ιόππης, καὶ ἐπίστευσαν πολλοὶ ἐπὶ τὸν κύριον.

The Reading is from the Acts of the Apostles 9:32-42 IN THOSE DAYS, as Peter went here and there among them all, he came down also to the saints that lived at Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden for eight years and was paralyzed. And Peter said to him, "Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; rise and make your bed." And immediately he rose. And all the residents of Lydda and Sharon saw him, and they turned to the Lord. Now there was at Joppa a disciple named Tabitha, which means Dorcas. She was full of good works and acts of charity. In those days she fell sick and died; and when they had washed her, they laid her in an upper room. Since Lydda was near Joppa, the disciples, hearing that Peter was there, sent two men to him entreating him, "Please come to us without delay." So, Peter rose and went with them. And when he had come, they took him to the upper room. All the widows stood beside him weeping, and showing tunics and other garments which Dorcas made while she was with them. But Peter put them all outside and knelt down and prayed; then turning to the body he said, "Tabitha, rise." And she opened her eyes, and when she saw Peter she sat up. And he gave her his hand and lifted her up. Then calling the saints and widows he presented her alive. And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed in the Lord.

Ευαγγελικόν Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ του κατά Ιωάννην 5:1-15 Τῷ καιρῷ ἐκείνῳ, ἀνέβη ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα. Ἔστιν δὲ ἐν τοῖς Ἱεροσολύμοις ἐπὶ τῇ προβατικῇ κολυμβήθρα ἡ ἐπιλεγομένη Ἑβραϊστὶ Βηθεσβά πέντε στοὰς ἔχουσα. Ἐν ταύταις κατέκειτο πλῆθος τῶν ἀσθενούντων τυφλῶν χωλῶν ξηρῶν. Ἦν δέ τις ἄνθρωπος ἐκεῖ τριάκοντα [καὶ] ὀκτὼ ἔτη ἔχων ἐν τῇ ἀσθενείᾳ αὐτοῦ τοῦτον ἰδὼν ὁ Ἰησοῦς κατακείμενον καὶ γνοὺς ὅτι πολὺν ἤδη χρόνον ἔχει λέγει αὐτῷ Θέλεις ὑγιὴς γενέσθαι; ἀπεκρίθη αὐτῷ ὁ ἀσθενῶν Κύριε ἄνθρωπον οὐκ ἔχω ἵνα ὅταν ταραχθῇ τὸ ὕδωρ βάλῃ με εἰς τὴν κολυμβήθραν ἐν ᾧ δὲ ἔρχομαι ἐγὼ ἄλλος πρὸ ἐμοῦ καταβαίνει. Λέγει αὐτῷ ὁ Ἰησοῦς Ἔγειρε ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. Καὶ εὐθέως ἐγένετο ὑγιὴς ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἦρεν τὸν κράβαττον αὐτοῦ καὶ περιεπάτει. Ην δὲ σάββατον ἐν ἐκείνῃ τῇ ἡμέρᾳ. Ἔλεγον οὖν οἱ Ἰουδαῖοι τῷ τεθεραπευμένῳ Σάββατόν ἐστιν καὶ οὐκ ἔξεστίν σοι ἆραι τὸν κράβαττόν σου. Ὁ δὲ ἀπεκρίθη αὐτοῖς Ὁ ποιήσας με ὑγιῆ ἐκεῖνός μοι εἶπεν Ἆρον τὸν κράβαττόν σου καὶ περιπάτει. Ἠρώτησαν αὐτόν Τίς ἐστιν ὁ ἄνθρωπος ὁ εἰπών σοι Ἆρον καὶ περιπάτει;ὁ δὲ ἰαθεὶς οὐκ ᾔδει τίς ἐστιν ὁ γὰρ Ἰησοῦς ἐξένευσεν ὄχλου ὄντος ἐν τῷ τόπῳ. Μετὰ ταῦτα εὑρίσκει αὐτὸν ὁ Ἰησοῦς ἐν τῷ ἱερῷ καὶ εἶπεν αὐτῷ Ἴδε ὑγιὴς γέγονας μηκέτι ἁμάρτανε ἵνα μὴ χεῖρόν σοί τι γένηται. Ἀπῆλθεν ὁ ἄνθρωπος καὶ ἀνήγγειλεν τοῖς Ἰουδαίοις ὅτι Ἰησοῦς ἐστιν ὁ ποιήσας αὐτὸν ὑγιῆ.

The Reading is from John 5:1-15 At that time, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda which has five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of invalids, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool, and troubled the water; whoever stepped in first after the troubling of the water was healed of whatever disease he had. One man was there, who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" The sick man answered him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going another steps down before me." Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your pallet, and walk." And at once the man was healed, and he took up his pallet and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So, the Jews said to the man who was cured, "It is the Sabbath, it is not lawful for you to carry your pallet." But he answered them, "The man who healed me said to me, 'Take up your pallet, and walk.' "They asked him, "Who is the man who said to you, 'Take up your pallet, and walk'?" Now the man who had been healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, as there was a crowd in the place. Afterward, Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you." The man went away and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had healed him.

Αποστολικόν Ανάγνωσμα: Eκ των Πράξεων των Αποστόλων 9:32-42 Εκείνες τις μέρες, pερνώντας ο Πέτρος απ όλες αυτές τις εκκλησίες, κατέβηκε και στους χριστιανούς που κατοικούσαν στη Λύδδα. Εκεί βρήκε κάποιον άνθρωπο που λεγόταν Αινέας. Αυτός ήταν οχτώ χρόνια κατάκοιτος, επειδή ήταν παράλυτος. Ο Πέτρος του είπε: «Αινέα σε γιατρεύει ο Ιησούς Χριστός. Σήκω και στρώσε το κρεβάτι σου». Κι αυτός αμέσως σηκώθηκε. Όλοι όσοι κατοικούσαν στη Λύδδα και στο Σάρωνα τον είδαν και δέχτηκαν τον Ιησού για Κύριό τους. Στην Ιόππη ήταν μια μαθήτρια που την έλεγαν Ταβιθά στα ελληνικά σημαίνει «Δορκάδα». Αυτή είχε κάνει πολλές αγαθοεργίες και ελεημοσύνες. Εκείνες τις μέρες συνέβη να αρρωστήσει και να πεθάνει. Την έλουσαν, λοιπόν, και την έβαλαν στο ανώγειο. Η Λύδδα ήταν κοντά στην Ιόππη, και, όταν οι μαθητές άκουσαν ότι ο Πέτρος ήταν εκεί, του έστειλαν δύο άντρες και τον παρακαλούσαν να πάει σ αυτούς όσο γίνεται πιο γρήγορα. Αυτός ξεκίνησε και πήγε μαζί τους. Μόλις έφτασε, τον ανέβασαν στο ανώγειο. Αμέσως τον περικύκλωσαν όλες οι χήρες κλαίγοντας και δείχνοντάς του τα ρούχα που είχε φτιάξει γι αυτούς η Δορκάδα όσο ζούσε. Ο Πέτρος τότε τους έβγαλε όλους έξω, γονάτισε και προσευχήθηκε. Κατόπιν γύρισε στη νεκρή και της είπε: «Ταβιθά, σήκω πάνω». Αυτή άνοιξε τα μάτια της, κι όταν είδε τον Πέτρο ανασηκώθηκε. Ο Πέτρος της έδωσε το χέρι του και τη σήκωσε. Ύστερα φώναξε τους πιστούς και τις χήρες και τους την παρουσίασε ζωντανή. Αυτό έγινε γνωστό σ όλη την Ιόππη, και πολλοί πίστεψαν στον Κύριο.

Ευαγγελικό Ανάγνωσμα: Εκ του κατά Ιωάννη 5:1-15 Εκείνο τον καιρό, οι Ιουδαίοι είχαν μια γιορτή, κι ο Ιησούς ανέβηκε στα Ιεροσόλυμα. Κοντά στην προβατική πύλη, στα Ιεροσόλυμα, υπάρχει μια δεξαμενή με πέντε στοές, που εβραϊκά ονομάζεται Βηθεσδά. Σ αυτές τις στοές κείτονταν πολλοί άρρωστοι, τυφλοί, κουτσοί, παράλυτοι, που περίμεναν να αναταραχθεί το νερό γιατί, από καιρό σε καιρό, ένας άγγελος Κυρίου κατέβαινε στη δεξαμενή κι ανατάραζε τα νερά όποιος, λοιπόν, έμπαινε πρώτος μετά την αναταραχή του νερού, αυτός γινόταν καλά, όποια κι αν ήταν η αρρώστια που τον ταλαιπωρούσε. Εκεί ήταν κι ένας άνθρωπος, άρρωστος τριάντα οκτώ ολόκληρα χρόνια. Όταν τον είδε ο Ιησούς κατάκοιτο, τον ρώτησε: «Θέλεις να γίνεις καλά;» Ήξερε πως ήταν έτσι για πολύν καιρό. «Κύριε», του αποκρίθηκε ο άρρωστος, «δεν έχω κανέναν να με βάλει στη δεξαμενή μόλις αναταραχτούν τα νερά έτσι, ενώ εγώ προσπαθώ να πλησιάσω μόνος μου, πάντοτε κάποιος άλλος κατεβαίνει στο νερό πριν από μένα». Ο Ιησούς του λέει: «Σήκω πάνω, πάρε το κρεβάτι σου και περπάτα». Κι αμέσως ο άνθρωπος έγινε καλά, σήκωσε το κρεβάτι του και περπατούσε. Η μέρα που έγινε αυτό ήταν Σάββατο. Έλεγαν, λοιπόν, οι Ιουδαίοι άρχοντες στο θεραπευμένο: «Είναι Σάββατο, και δεν επιτρέπεται να σηκώνεις το κρεβάτι σου». Αυτός όμως τους απάντησε: «Εκείνος που μ έκανε καλά, εκείνος μου είπε πάρε το κρεβάτι σου και περπάτα». Τον ρώτησαν: «Ποιος είναι ο άνθρωπος που σου είπε πάρε το και περπάτα; Ο θεραπευμένος όμως δεν ήξερε να πει ποιος ήταν, επειδή ο Ιησούς είχε φύγει απαρατήρητος εξαιτίας του πλήθους που ήταν μαζεμένο εκεί. Αργότερα ο Ιησούς τον βρήκε στο ναό και του είπε: «Βλέπεις, έχεις γίνει καλά από δω και πέρα μην αμαρτάνεις, για να μην πάθεις τίποτα χειρότερο». Ο άνθρωπος έφυγε αμέσως κι ανάγγειλε στους Ιουδαίους άρχοντες ότι ο Ιησούς ήταν αυτός που τον γιάτρεψε.

The Miracle at Bethesda In John 5:1-15, we read the story of Jesus in Jerusalem for some unnamed feast. While there, he encountered a disabled man at the Pool of Bethesda. After questioning the man concerning his willingness to be healed Jesus commanded him: Get up! Pick up your mat and walk (v. 8). The man did this, much to the amazement of everyone, especially the Jewish leaders. Pool of Bethesda from the Ancient Jerusalem Model City This account of the healing at the Pool of Bethesda represents Jesus first truly public miracle. His previous two miracles were rather private ones. Not only was this miracle of a public nature but it was done on the Sabbath day, and that brought about the first real opposition to Jesus ministry from the Jewish leaders. Of course the immediate problem was that Jesus commanded the healed man to carry his mat. We see in the Bible that carrying a burden was forbidden on the Sabbath day (Exodus 20:8-10; Neh. 13:15; Jer 17:21). In fact, the Jewish leaders had listed 39 prohibited tasks on the Sabbath and bearing a burden was one of them. In their zeal to keep the letter of the law these leaders missed the miracle entirely. They also missed the sign that their

own Messiah had come. Had they only considered Isaiah 35:6 they would have remembered this about his ministry: Then will the lame leap like a deer. On this and several other occasions (Mt. 12:9-14; Lk. 14:1-6) Jesus seemed to make a special point of healing on the Sabbath. He felt that the Sabbath was made for man and not man for the Sabbath (Mk. 2:28). Jesus felt it was proper to do good on the Sabbath rather than evil (Lk. 6:9). Since God was still working he thought it necessary that he be working as well (Jn. 5:17). He once reminded the leaders that they would quickly lead their donkeys to water on the Sabbath (Lk. 13:15) or rescue sheep that had fallen into a pit (Mt. 12:11), but they would not allow a needy person to be helped. In the end Jesus made this bold claim: For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath (Mt. 12:8). PLACE OF THE MIRACLE It has been confirmed by much modern scholarship that this miracle of Jesus happened at the Pool of Bethesda as is named in scripture. We see that this pool was near the Sheep Gate, a site which is mentioned in Nehemiah 3:1-2 and 12:39. Today the closest city gate is the Lions or St. Stephen s Gate in the eastern wall. The Pool of Bethesda today The Pool of Bethesda was excavated in 1915 and again in 1958. The pool has been identified with the Sheep Pool which was located

near the Sheep Market in ancient times. The pool is very deep, some 15 meters (45 feet) and measures 50 x 150 meters in size (160 x 480 feet). It is divided into two sections, the northern pool and southern pool. Straddling the pools are the ruins of a fifth century Byzantine basilica and later ruins of a Crusader chapel. Many sources claim that the excavated pool has five porches as is mentioned in scripture. This is not clearly evident by looking at the remains of the pool today. Immediately to the east of the ruins are later bathing pools which are thought to be connected to the Roman god of healing, Aesculapius. At the southeastern end of the excavation is located the beautiful 12 th century Crusader church of St. Anne. In Christian tradition Anne and Joachim were the parents of Mary, Jesus mother. This church is an excellent example of Romanesque style and has survived intact through wars and earthquakes. At one point the church was taken over by the Muslims and became a theological school. The Islamic inscription bearing witness to this is still seen over the entryway. Tourists visiting this site are usually amazed at the great acoustics this building affords. It is often a place where visiting choirs and other tour groups rest their feet while they exercise their vocal chords a bit by singing hymns and choruses. Saint Anne s Church at the site

THE MAN IN THE MIRACLE Much has been said by way of comment and speculation concerning the poor man in this miracle of Jesus. Many note how Jesus asked the man that all important question, Do you want to get well? (v. 6b). All of us probably know people in our life experiences who really don t want to be well for one reason or another. It is almost impossible for one in such a frame of mind to actually get well. Even miraculous cures may not last in such cases. Also for some Jerusalem beggars with good locations it appears that they may make a pretty good living doing nothing. Various commentators have noted that the story of this man is a sort of parable or allegory picturing Israel and her lame condition. The man had been an invalid for 38 years. In their thinking this corresponds to the 38 years Israel was in the wilderness (Deut. 2:14) and unable to enter the Promised Land. In fact, at that very hour Israel was still an invalid, unable to enter into the good things God had in store. Some have suggested that the five porches represent the law while the waters represent baptism and salvation in Yeshua. It is interesting that the man does not appear to show much faith. This miracle seems to almost be one of grace alone. Clearly

the man continues to think in near magical terms of the angel stirring the waters. Incidentally, the verses 3b and 4 which speak of the angel stirring the water are missing in all early manuscripts of the Bible before AD 400. Thus they are omitted in many newer translations like the New International and New Revised Standard Versions. It may well have been that this account was an early oral tradition carried on by believers although not included in the earliest copies of the Bible. Others have pointed out that this man never seemed to show much gratitude for being healed. He did go immediately to the Temple where Jesus later found him and that was a good sign. This trip to the Temple was surely one he had not been able to make on his own for 38 years. Still it is of note that he didn t face the immediate persecution that the blind man of John chapter 9 faced, since the latter was excommunicated for his belief in Jesus. In the man s Temple exchange with Jesus we see that his condition was apparently the result of some specific sin in his life. Obviously all sicknesses and even death are caused indirectly by sin and the fact that we have inherited these things from Adam. It is clear in scripture that certain sins cause specific problems in our lives. For instance, the sin of envy rots the bones (Pro. 14:30). The sin of pride brings destruction (Pro. 16:18). The sin of greed takes away our lives (Pro. 1:19). We do not know what his specific sin was but Jesus gave him a sharp command to stop this sin lest a worse curse should come upon him. (Jn. 5:14).

SOME APPLICATIONS FROM BETHESDA It may be appropriate that we ask ourselves if we have some 38- year-old problem that always lingers with us. This miracle tells us that there is still grace for us and that the Messiah may actually be seeking us out for a special miracle. But we must quickly ask ourselves Do I really want to be delivered from this problem? Some sins and problems tend to get pretty comfortable after a few years, to the point that we cannot even bear the thought of losing them. Then there is the matter of gratitude. We are instructed in Philippians 4:6: In everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. Ingratitude is one of the most dangerous sins in that it literally locks the door against God s future miracles and blessings in our lives. As with the children of Israel long ago ingratitude sentences us to years of futility and wilderness wandering. Last of all it can be said that the poor helpless man did obey the command of Jesus. It must have sounded crazy to him but he began to stand up and pick up his mat. All miracles seem to start this way. God begins from where we are and with what we have, and then he works his miracle around these things. By Jim Gerrish

See, you are well! Sin no more, that nothing worse befall you.