Most likely, yes.

It says here that the man had been sick for decades, and couldn’t “heal himself” because others would beat him to the water. Others were there, waiting. Yet, Jesus went to one. Why?

This man was desperate. He could not help himself. Without Jesus, this man would have died sick and waiting. It is not Jesus being cruel here by healing one, this is man being evil by ignoring the one!

When we walk past, or drive past those who can not help themselves, are we following Jesus example, or man? We don’t know here what Jesus said or did to the others present, but we do know that He helped the one who others ignored.

We are called to do the same… To help those who are least capable, the most hurting, the rejects of society! We aren’t called to the rich and powerful but the sick and hurting, those no one else wants. The messy lives that others look down on. Those are the ones Jesus concentrated on, as should we!