Sir, I have no man
5And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.
6When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?
Jesus is at a pool surrounded by the sick and unwell, doesn't this seem an odd question? But didn't Jesus often ask odd questions, why this fellow? Was it purely about the length of time suffered? Is Jesus indicating there should be an expiration date on sufferin? No let's look at the mans response.
7The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.
What a simple answer... "I have no man"... He had made it to the pool, he had gotten himself this far, but at some point in his suffering it had dawned on him that he needed help. He couldn't do this last step on his own. He needed somebody to help him. Note how close he was to help. We read in the early part of the chapter that there was healing power very near him when the pool was stirred. He realized though that what he had done to get to the pool wasn't going to be sufficient to get him in. "Sir, I have no man" was his humble, honest, most likely desperate response.
8Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.
Jesus response was an implicit, you've got a man, you always have, you never had to do this on your own, you weren't meant to.
10Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.