At the pool of Bethesda, a person's condition did not matter. What mattered was who was paying attention.
Like so many people, the man Jesus approached believed something could happen, but he didn't have much expectation that it would happen to him. He'd been in this condition for 38 long years.
1. He wants to get into the pool to be healed.
2. But says he doesn't expect to be the first in.
Jesus doesn't assume by our actions that we desire to be healed but by obedience to His commands (even if the actions are of great inconvenience). There were many people at the pool, but he went to this man. He's not attracted by need but by faith.
He asks the man, "Do you want to be made well?" The simple answer is, "Yes," or "No." Instead, the man gives him a long story about how he doesn't have anyone to help him get into the pool. Someone always gets in before him. After a long time of not receiving what we hope for, our expectation of it diminishes.
Jesus changes the method, giving the man fresh expectation. He tells him to rise, take up his bed, and walk. The man is completely healed.
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