By the sheep gate in Jerusalem there was a pool which in Hebrew was called 'Bethesda'. The water sometimes was stirred up and people thought it was angels who did it. The pool was crowded with people who had all kinds of diseases because people had been told that after the stirring up of the water whoever entered first was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted. A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. He had suffered for a long time and because of the hope of healing he wouldn't leave the pool. Knowing his heart, Jesus said to him, "Do you wish to get well?" and stretched His hand of love. The man replied with regret that when the water moved another had stepped in before him because he was unable to move well. Then, Jesus said to him, "Get up, pick up your pallet and walk." All of a sudden, strength came to the man and he began to walk. The man was healed of the disease that had troubled him for thirtyeight years just at Jesus' words.