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Listen while you read: "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam"1
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It's the first day of an eleven-day tour of Israel and I'm sitting on the steps of the pool of Siloam near the city of David, in Jerusalem. Our guide is explaining how Jewish people ritually cleansed themselves here before the long walk up the hill to the temple.
In recent years, archaeologists have been uncovering more and more evidence to prove the authenticity of biblical places and events. The pool of Siloam was initially uncovered in 2004 during construction work to repair a large water pipe near the city of David. Its history reaches back to King Hezekiah's time, when he dug a 1,750-foot (533 metre) tunnel under the city of David to bring water from the Gihon spring. Our group had been sloshing through that tunnel just before we sat down here at the Pool of Siloam. Right behind us is the recently excavated Herodian Road on which worshippers — and Jesus — walked up the hill from the pool to the temple.
John 9:11 – He told them, "The man they call Jesus made mud and spread it over my eyes and told me, 'Go to the pool of Siloam and wash yourself.' So I went and washed, and now I can see!" (NLT)
This is the pool where Jesus healed the man blind from birth. From the Scripture, it appears that, at first, the blind man thought that the pool had a role in his healing. But unlike the pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed an invalid, this pool had no miraculous properties. The Pharisees interrogated him, trying to stir up trouble for Jesus, but he stood firm: "But I know this: I was blind, and now I can see!" (John 9:25b NLT) However, it still doesn't appear that he fully understood who this Man was who had healed him.
John 9:35-38 – When Jesus heard what had happened, he found the man and asked, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" The man answered, "Who is he, sir? I want to believe in him." "You have seen him," Jesus said, "and he is speaking to you!" "Yes, Lord, I believe!" the man said. And he worshiped Jesus. (NLT)
Finally, he got it right. He worshiped Jesus, not the pool. He understood that his healing came from his interaction with Jesus. It is the same today. Healing may come in miraculous ways, or it may come through the gifted hands of medical practitioners. But it all still comes from Jesus.
1 John 2:5b-6 – By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (ESV)
As I listen to the guide, it's tempting to focus on being at the actual location where Jesus walked by this pool 2,000 years ago, when He and the disciples encountered the blind man and then went up the Herodian Road where He met the Pharisees. But it's not about walking where Jesus walked; it's about walking in the same way in which He walked: in total dependence upon His indwelling Spirit to be at work in us always, enabling us to abide in Him, to trust Him, and to believe in Him, as did the man blind from birth. Today, we can rejoice that He not only heals us physically, but that He also heals the spiritually blind who call on Him.
Prayer: Lord, it is incredible to visit the places where You lived, walked, and worked. It's even more incredible to realize the sacrifices that You made for us as You came to earth to make atonement for our sins. Help us in our feeble efforts to walk in the same way in which You walked. Amen.
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About the author:
Sharon Cook <craftercook@gmail.com>
Apache Junction, Arizona, USA
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Amazing devotional.
Such a great reminder, Sharon. God bless.
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Blessings.
Wonderful writing, Sharon. Healing was not in the pool but the Holy touch of the Lord.
Love that God has called you to minister with words you receive from the Savior.
May you enjoy and experience much awe during the rest of your trip. I went to Israel before attending the Passion play in Europe in 2000. It was a very rich experience to do the 2 things together. Thanks for sharing!
Good morning, Sharon,
I really enjoyed this today and it touched my heart as I read, ‘it is not where walked but how he walk’ basically!! So true, I wonder how many have missed that meaningful truth? I have, so thank you.
Have a blessed day.
Hi Sharon,
I especially related to this devotional as I went to the Holy Land a few years ago. It was a wonderful experience to walk where Jesus walked but I appreciate your added words; it’s about walking in the same way in which He walked: in total dependence upon His indwelling Spirit to be at work in us always, enabling us to abide in Him, to trust Him, and to believe in Him….
Thank you, Sharon. This morning I was watching Facebook videos and pictures of a recent tour to Israel. It’s the same organization we went with a few years ago. The archaeological work is amazing, and it’s easy to stop there. I appreciate how this tour guide again emphasizes the same truth you share in your devotional: We don’t confine our faith to the past, but we put our trust in the living Christ who works in and through our lives (and history) through the power of his Spirit.
Good morning, Sharon,
Thank you for sharing some of what you learned on your trip to Israel and the history in the Bible about the places where Jesus walked.
Definitely the point you made of the importance of walking in the same way Jesus walked as the Holy Spirit guides us is something that we should always try to do. This is not easy as I am sure Jesus coming to live as a human on Earth and die for us was not easy. However, it is definitely important for our journey of faith so that others can see Jesus in what we do.
The hymn chosen reflects your meaning in a very simple and wonderful way. May you have a blessed day.
It’s so fun to read about all the confirmations archaeologists are finding regarding the biblical accounts! And speaking of healings, I am waiting for surgery. I have been in pain for several years. Hearing I would have to wait weeks or months was very discouraging. My neighbour came the next day and we praised God and prayed, but that night, I cried, and cried out to the Lord for mercy! How could I wait another few months? My life was at 10% of what it should be. The next morning, I got up and went to the bathroom. When I got there, I stopped, in shock and disbelief: What? Wait! I just walked NORMALLY!! It took me a few days to grasp the enormity of this. The Lord DID have mercy on me! I can walk! And even though I still have pain and all the other stuff, my life is up to 45% and yes, I can wait now. But, just maybe, He is healing the rest, because I am doing things I could not do before. So rejoice with me! Our God is an awesome God and what a privilege it is to walk with Jesus!!
Blessings on your day!
Thank you, Sharon, for sharing this encouraging devotional with us. Isn’t visiting the Holy Land a real blessing!
Blessings.
Thank you for your devotional about the Siloam pool. I liked the visualization both of the pool itself and of the interaction between the blind man and Jesus. Please continue to write.