TROUBLED WATERS

TROUBLED WATERS

John 5:3-4 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.

Two songs come to my mind when I think of these “troubled waters” at the Pool of Bethesda. The first one is “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” by Paul Simon and the second one is the old spiritual “God’s Gonna Trouble the Waters”. These song speak to two of the issues these waters in John 5 speak of. First, Simon’s song speaks about the troubled waters of life. These folks laying by the pool knew about troubles, many of them had been suffering from the traumas of this life for years. When Jesus appeared, He became that bridge over troubled waters. He is that very present help in out time of need. Here are the words from Paul Simon’s classic song.

When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all

I’m on your side
When times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

When you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you

I’ll take your part
When darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down

Sail on Silver Girl,
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way

See how they shine
If you need a friend
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind

Maybe you feel like you are about to drown in the troubled waters of this life.. Jesus is here. Call out to Him. He will be your bridge across the troubles of our life.
The second song spoke about the miracle power of Jesus. It was said that any one who entered the waters after the angel troubled it was healed. I am just simple enough to believe it. This song and the story of the pool of Bethesda always remind me of our church in New Orleans, Victory Fellowship. I actually think there are angels stirring the waters in our church. Every time we gather together His miracle power is there among us. I can almost hear the words of the Savior as I think about those precious services, “Do you want to be made whole?” If you do, rise and be healed. If you are walking through those troubled waters of life step into His troubled water, before you know it you will be singing with those angels.