Stop Staring at the Pool: Finding Healing in John 5

Cameron McLaurin preaching through John 5 at Vessel Church

Stop Staring at the Pool

(Based on John 5:1–9)

Back in 2018, a few friends and I decided to build a pergola. None of us were professional builders. We had energy, YouTube tutorials, and a whole lot of trial and error. At first, it was exciting—fresh wood stacked on the concrete slab, tools ready, big dreams. But as the project dragged on, there were moments we thought, “Maybe if we just wait long enough, it will build itself.”

Of course, it didn’t. Staring at the unfinished pergola didn’t make it any more complete. And as funny as that sounds, a lot of us approach life the same way—we get stuck, we stare at the problem, and we hope something will magically change.

But what if healing, growth, and satisfaction don’t come from waiting? What if they come when we respond to Jesus?

A Crowd Waiting for a Miracle

In John 5, we read about a place in Jerusalem called the pool of Bethesda. It was surrounded by people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed—waiting for the waters to stir because they believed the first person in the pool would be healed.

One man had been there for thirty-eight years. Imagine that—nearly four decades of waiting, watching, and hoping. This illness had become his normal.

When Jesus saw him, He asked a simple question: “Do you want to get well?”

Excuses vs. Action

Instead of answering “Yes,” the man gave excuses: “I can’t… there’s no one to help me… someone always gets there ahead of me.”

He was so focused on the pool as the only way to be healed that he didn’t recognize the Healer standing right in front of him.

We do this too. We think, If I just go to church, that’s enough for God to make me well. If I watch enough sermons, that should fix me. If I know some Scripture—even if I don’t live it out—that should bring the change I’m looking for.

Meanwhile, Jesus is offering wellness today, but our excuses keep us stuck.

What’s Your Pool?

What’s the “pool” you’ve been staring at?

• Your career?

• A relationship that doesn’t push you toward Jesus?

• Self-help books and motivational talks?

• Waiting for more money or more time before you obey God?

We wait for something to stir, but true healing only comes from Jesus.

From Waiting to Walking

In verse 8, Jesus says, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” And instantly, the man was healed.

His healing didn’t come when the water moved—it came when Jesus spoke.The same is true for us. When Jesus says, “Stand up,” the question is: will we keep waiting around, or will we walk?

Stop staring at the pool. Stop waiting for life to get easier, for someone else to make the first move, or for your circumstances to change. Jesus is here, asking: Do you want to get well?

Faith That Builds

That pergola in my backyard didn’t build itself. We had to pick up tools, measure boards, make mistakes, and keep going. Healing, purpose, and transformation don’t just happen either—but when Jesus says, “Get up,” everything changes.

The Ultimate Healing

Jesus didn’t just heal one man at Bethesda—He came to heal us all. Isaiah 53:5 says:

“He was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.”

On the cross, Jesus didn’t wait for us to fix ourselves. He came to us while we were stuck, and He offered Himself as the ultimate healing.

So today, hear His invitation: Stop staring at the pool. Stand up. Walk.