April 1, 2025: Hope in the power of the Lord

Life often presents us with struggles that seem insurmountable. At times, we feel stuck, powerless, and without hope. But the story in John 5:1-16 reminds us that hope in the Lord can transform even the most desperate situations.

### The Man by the Pool of Bethesda

In this passage, we encounter a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years. He lay by the pool of Bethesda, where many sick and disabled people gathered, hoping to be healed when the waters were stirred. But for nearly four decades, this man remained in his condition. He was unable to move quickly enough to reach the water in time and had no one to help him. Imagine his frustration, loneliness, and sense of hopelessness.

### Jesus Sees and Offers Hope

Then came Jesus. He saw the man lying there and knew his condition. Instead of asking about the pool or discussing the man’s long wait, Jesus asked a simple but profound question: **“Do you want to be healed?”**

The man responded with his reality—he had no one to help him into the water. He focused on his limitations, unaware that the source of true healing stood before him. Jesus then gave him a command that defied all logic: **“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”** Instantly, the man was healed. His years of suffering ended not because of the water but because of the power of Jesus.

### A Modern Story of Hope

Maria, a single mother of two, found herself in a similar place of hopelessness. She had lost her job and was on the verge of eviction. With no one to turn to, she felt abandoned and forgotten. One evening, she attended a church service where the pastor preached about placing hope in Jesus. With tears in her eyes, she surrendered her burdens to God. That very week, she received an unexpected job offer, and a friend stepped forward to help her with rent. Like the man at Bethesda, Maria had waited for a solution from the world, but her true breakthrough came when she put her hope in Christ.

### Lessons in Hope

1. **God Sees Our Condition** – Just as Jesus noticed the man, He sees our struggles and knows our burdens. Even when we feel invisible, God is aware of our pain.

2. **Hope is in Jesus, Not in Circumstances** – The man had waited for healing from the pool, but his true hope came from Jesus. Likewise, we should not place our faith in worldly solutions but in the One who has the power to change everything.

3. **Obedience Brings Miracles** – Jesus’ command to “Get up” required faith. The man obeyed, and his life was transformed. When God calls us to step out in faith, our response should be immediate trust and action.

### A Call to Renewed Hope

No matter how long we have struggled, no matter how impossible things seem, Jesus invites us to put our hope in Him. The same Jesus who healed the man at Bethesda is still at work today, bringing restoration and new beginnings.

### Questions for Reflection

1. In what areas of your life have you felt stuck, like the man at Bethesda?

2. How can you shift your focus from circumstances to placing your hope in Jesus?

3. What is one step of faith you can take today in obedience to God’s call?

4. Can you recall a time when God intervened in your life in an unexpected way? How did that strengthen your faith?

Are you holding onto hope in the Lord? He is ready to lift you up, heal your brokenness, and set you on a new path. Trust in Him, and take that step of faith today.