by leaps and bounds

Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered collonades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie- the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in someone else goes down ahead of me.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your bed and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked (John 5:2-9 NIV).

It is interesting to read through Matthew, Mark, Luke and John in order to see what Jesus was- and is- about. Instead of always being around the religious people of the day, Jesus went to the places of real human need- much like the pool of Bethesda where he found this particular man who needed Him the most.

You know, religion can be a cold, unfeeling institution that offers no compassion and no life. A real Christian experience is about relationship- relationship with Jesus, fellow Christians and other people who need the Lord also.

The invalid at the pool knew nothing about relationship with God. To him, his hope and his healing was in the pool. He was looking for the healing- not the Healer.

Often we are the same way. We need to understand that God wants us to know Him for who He is, not just for what He can do for us.

If we want salvation we must know the Savior. If we want healing we must know the Healer. If we want help, we must know the Helper. Remember, it is not about religion- it is about relationship.

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Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.

Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children  — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter  — Breanna. 

Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation. 

Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.