Join Rev. Rob McPherson in prayer with Robert Bateman’s The Pool of Bethesda, a vivid meditation on waiting, hope, and healing. Where are you in this scene of longing and promise? What message might Jesus be speaking directly to your heart today?

John 5:1-9

In this episode of Art and Prayer, Rev. Rob McPherson invites us into a prayerful meditation on Robert Bateman’s The Pool of Bethesda, a work inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite movement’s dedication to naturalistic detail and deep symbolic meaning. Rather than focusing on literal accuracy, Rob guides us to see the painting as a reflection on human waiting, suffering, hope, and the longing for healing.

Using John 5:2–9 as the scriptural backdrop, the scene unfolds around a pool where the sick await the stirring of the water by an angel, believing the first to enter after the stirring will be healed. Bateman’s painting captures the moment just before the angel descends, emphasizing the tension between hope and disappointment. A weary man who has suffered for thirty-eight years approaches, likely too late once again, while others await eagerly, some with help.

Rob draws attention to details—the Roman soldier at peace, lilies symbolizing life and renewal, and an intriguing chained object symbolizing bondage—inviting us to consider what each element might say about our own spiritual condition. Notably, Jesus is absent from the image, reminding us that divine intervention may come unexpectedly or be unseen at times.

The prayerful reflection encourages us to relate the waiting in the painting to our own lives, identifying where hope mingles with frustration. Rob asks us to find a detail that feels like God’s response to our waiting, holding that image as we listen for words of encouragement in the scripture. We then imagine Jesus entering the scene, speaking directly to our situation, offering hope and healing.

Rob closes by reflecting on the Pre-Raphaelite aim to convey deeper meaning through art, emphasizing how this painting invites us to trust God’s unseen work amid our struggles. He invites viewers to share how this experience has impacted their prayer life and encourages sharing the episode with others.