The pool of Bethesda was known for its crowd. But not just any crowd. The hurting kind. The desperate kind. Max Lucado describes the scene, “Picture a battlefield strewn with wounded bodies, and you see Bethesda. Imagine a nursing home overcrowded and understaffed, and you see the pool.”

Why did they congregate? Well, underground springs would cause the water to bubble at the surface. It was thought that the bubbles were the visible sign of the dipping of angel wings. And if you were close enough to be the first to touch the water after the angel did, you’d be healed.

The scene sends me back to my time in Israel, Romania and most recently, Brazil; to the lines of people waiting to visit their own Bethesda. Ladies sitting in the dirt, waving away the stubborn fly while wearing their favorite dresses; men in suits that were two-sizes-too-big and borrowed ties, children being carried in by grandparents that have adopted them as their own because their parents either ran away or passed away.

A modern-day Pool of Bethesda. They came in on their hands wearing their Sunday best. Why? Because it was the most important day of their lives. It was the day they were to receive their first wheelchair and likely their first Bible.

When you’re suffering, you go to the pool.

AMONG THE SUFFERING
”Can you picture it? Jesus walking among the suffering,” writes Max. “It was the Passover feast. People have come from miles around to meet God in the temple. Little did they know God was with the sick. Little do they know God is walking slowly, stepping carefully between the beggars, the lame and the blind.”

God is where you least expect Him. Fast-forward 2,000 years, if Jesus were confined to one location, where would He go? I’m not sure. Ringside at HBO boxing? Court side seats at Madison Square Garden? Maybe he’d attend the CrossFit games, but up in the rafters to accept the point of praise from the champion. My sinful heart doubts it. No, I double-down that He’d be in hospital rooms watching kids point to where it hurts. I think He’d be at the Pool of Bethesda.

In a few weeks, we begin our courses at PrayFit U with the schools of Grace & Suffering, Exercise Physiology and Culinary Arts. It’s a way to raise funds for our higher calling of helping fund The Body for those in John 5. We don’t have anything against Madison Square Garden or the CrossFit games. It’s just, nobody is waiting for us there.

- Jimmy Peña

GIVE. ENROLL. LISTEN. SHARE.

Whether it’s by becoming a part of The Body (monthly donors dedicated to helping us continue our cause), or by enrolling in PrayFit U (self-paced, personalized courses with Jimmy and others beginning this August), you can help us at PrayFit. Thank you for leaning in and joining us as we seek to serve those impacted by disability through the fitness industry. Please share this post on social media. Maybe some of your friends and family would be interested and willing to come alongside us as well.

PLUS: SUBSCRIBE to Jimmy’s new podcast, “The 2nd Mountain.” In this inaugural episode, he explains the meaning behind the “2.” Enjoy.