"After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. 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. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, He said unto him, Will you be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus said unto him, Rise, take up your bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath." (John 5:1-9)
The real problem in the world is how to get rid of sin. Everybody knows this way down in the heart. It is not information that we need; it is help.
When Christ found the impotent man at the pool of Bethesda, no amount of talk about his condition and how he came there would have availed, nor discussion about what he ought to do. The man was helpless, and could do nothing, and knew it. Christ gave him what he lacked,-strength and life. This was Christ's way.
The scribes and doctors of the law followed Him about discussing technicalities, and reasoning among themselves; but those who wanted help received it.
We today, of ourselves, are just where the impotent man was; helpless, unable to separate ourselves from the sin that holds us. Therefore, "[Christ] gave himself for our sins, that He might deliver us." (Galatians 1:4)
We need that true sorrow and repentance for sin which shall make us long for this deliverance; but we have not to reproach and condemn ourselves in the vain effort to work repentance so deep that God will pity us. God's love and pity are already upon the sinner, and in Christ is provided the repentance to all who will look to Him; for: "Him has God exalted with His right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins." (Acts 5:31)
We need strength, and "to them that have no might He increases strength," (Isaiah 40:29) "according to His glorious power." (Colossians 1:11)
New life, also, we need, and He came "that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly." (John 10:10) "God shall supply all your need according to His riches and glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19)--Present Truth, January 4, 1894--Timeline: III-9 (The Invalid at Bethesda)--John 5:2-9.