John 5:2

In Jerusalem there is a pool of water near the Sheep’s Gate on the eastern wall of the city.  The pool is called Bethesda, which is Aramaic for “house of mercy.”  The pool is surrounded by five covered rows of columns.  John 5:2 EFP

It’s interesting to note this gate, called Sheep’s Gate in this verse, went by other names at different times.  It is mentioned in the Book of Nehemiah as being the first gate restored by the workers during the reconstruction (Nehemiah 3).  It is believed, that with the exception of his triumphal entry at the end of his ministry, Jesus always entered the city through the Sheep’s Gate.  This seems more that appropriate since Jesus is called “the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29).

The Sheep’s Gate was the entrance used by people bringing in their sheep from the markets to offer in the temple.  Before they were offered, they were washed in the Sheep Pool, which ironically was now known as the Pool of Bethesda.  As we now know, the sheep market had moved in the Temple court where merchants could demand a higher price for their lambs, who I expect had been properly bathed and prepared in order to exact an even higher process for the convenience.

During Jesus’ time it was known as the pool of the house of mercy.  After the beginning of the Christian Church, the gate became known as Stephen’s gate, since it is believed that this is the gate by which Steven, the first Christian martyred was stoned to death (Acts 7).  It was even known as the Lion’s gate during the Muslim occupation of Jerusalem.  I do not doubt Jesus knew the history of the gate and entered that way purposefully.  His role as the Lamb of God would soon come to fruition as he became the sacrificial lamb.  The Pool of the House of Mercy certainly would not offer him any.  But today, mercy had brought him through this gate and into this place of despair.  This is why he went to Jerusalem.  This is why he came to earth.  This is the reason he entered my world.