The story, as Jesus tells it
Thirty eight years is a long time to wait. He watched that water every day. Come. Hear what I asked him.
I saw him by the water. He had waited so long. I asked if he wanted healing. Nobody had ever carried him. I told him, stand up.
He did not need the water. He needed someone to see him. So here is my question for you. How long have you been waiting?
A verse to hold on to
“When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou 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 steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”
John 5:6 to 8 (KJV)