Fill in the blank for the answer.

John 5:1-4 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. [v.4] For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was ______ ________ of ______________ disease he had.

     This supernatural demonstration of healing was in competition with the healing ministry of Jesus Christ, and was used of Satan to lead people away from Jesus and His message of repentance and salvation. As a result, every time the “angel” “troubled the water” the stronger individuals trampled over the weaker men, women and children to be the first in the pool. These events were nothing more than a contest pitting man against man, where there was only one winner; and all others—losers (just like the devil-run lotteries and gambling casinos).

     Hopeless and tormented in their illnesses, many would die on its banks. But the healing of Jesus Christ was not partial! “When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils: and He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick.” “And great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all.” Matt. 8:16; 12:15. Entering townships, Jesus would often stay up all night and heal every soul who came to Him. No mad dash! No first come first serve! GOD desires to heal all, but most are living their lives in the raging currents of doubt and unbelief, even as it was in Christ’s day: “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” Matt.13:58.

     For us today, it is wise to take to heart the following lesson of Jesus: "And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day, and said unto the people, There are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed, and not on the sabbath day. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him." Lu.13:11-17.

     In these words are seen that Satan is the author of disease. He creates disease and he can heal it as it serves his agenda to corrupt the churches, and harden men in their sins. This is just part of the powers of his jurisdiction as "the prince of this world" (as Jesus called him). And he leads men to weaken their bodies with toxins and malnutrition; and as a result, this stands as the leading contributor to the poor health in our society. But GOD gave to the children of Israel a promise: "If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee."

     The dietary counsel is there in Scripture. And when Daniel was being commanded by Nebudchanezzar to violate that counsel it is written: "And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king. Now among these were of the children of Judah, Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach; and to Azariah, of Abednego. But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said unto Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse liking than the children which are of your sort? then shall ye make me endanger my head to the king. Then said Daniel to Melzar, whom the prince of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat [grains, nuts, fruits], and water to drink. Then let our countenances be looked upon before thee, and the countenance of the children that eat of the portion of the king's meat: and as thou seest, deal with thy servants. So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days. And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat. Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse. As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm." Dan.1:5-20.

     To maximize the strength of mind and body to do the will of GOD exemplifies man's best service for the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ.