WHAT the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God, sending His own Son―” No one need misunderstand these words of the apostle, transcribed from Romans 8:3. They declare unequivocally the powerlessness of the law to help ruined man, and the supreme necessity for the mission of the Son of God. These principles are strikingly exemplified in the case of the infirm man who was healed by the Saviour at the pool of Bethesda (John 5).
The porches of the pool were invariably crowded with sick folk, for it appears that from time to time an angel troubled its waters, which then gave healing to the first person that stepped in. This, while a merciful interposition on the part of God, and beneficial to those possessed of some strength, was manifestly of no avail whatever for persons absolutely helpless. The pool is thus remarkably typical of the law, which promises life and righteousness to those who keep it in all its parts, but which has nothing but condemnation and death for those who fail to keep it (Gal. 3:10-12). Now, seeing that man is utterly evil in root and branch, and so “without strength” it is manifest that the law can never yield him blessing. Scripture says truly “the law is the strength of sin” and “the law worketh wrath” (1 Cor. 15:56; Rom. 4:15).
The Saviour observed a man at Bethesda who had been afflicted thirty-eight years, just the period of Israel’s unnecessary wandering in the wilderness as the fruit of putting themselves under law (Deut. 2:14). Hoping against hope, the poor fellow had long watched the pool, having no thought in his mind that healing could ever come to him by any other means. Sadly like the multitude in Christendom to-day, whose only thought concerning salvation is that it must he obtained by human effort, if it is to be obtained at all. And this after the full revelation of God’s grace in Christ!
To the Saviour’s inquiry, “Wilt thou be made whole?” the impotent man replied: “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.” A truly extraordinary reply, seeing that the pool was not mentioned in the question. He must now learn that what the pool could never accomplish for such as he, the Son of God could accomplish instantly by His word. At the command of Omnipotence, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk,” he arose, took up his bed, and departed to his house. In like manner all the need of the soul is now met by the Saviour’s word, apart from works of any kind whatsoever. “Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My word and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but is passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). His atoning death and triumphant resurrection explain how He is able to offer such simple terms to the ruined children of men.
Had heart and conscience been lively in Israel, there would have been national humiliation before God concerning Bethesda’s suffering throng. Such was the special character of Israel’s calling that suffering and disease would have been unknown amongst them had they continued faithful to Jehovah (Deut. 28). But to everything divine the people, and especially their religious leaders, were utterly insensible. Instead of appreciating the Saviour’s goodness they persecuted Him for healing on the Sabbath day. Such is religion without God.