因脊髓損傷而癱瘓的人有了新的希望。德國研究人員發現了一種刺激神經生長的方法，可以重新連接肌肉和大腦之間的神經通路。這種神經的再生使癱瘓的實驗鼠再度行走，研究人員將繼續進行測試，以判斷這種治療方法對人體是否安全有效。

科學致力為癱瘓者達成得痊癒的心願，而耶穌透過神蹟實現了。當耶穌來到畢士大池，那裡有許多病人躺著，在病痛中等候多時，希望得到醫治。耶穌看見有一個人「病了三十八年」（約翰福音5章5節）。在確認這個人真的希望得到醫治之後，耶穌吩咐他起來行走，「那人立刻痊愈，就拿起褥子來走了」（9節）。

上帝並沒有應許我們一切的疾病都將可以治癒。如同那天在水池邊，還有其他人沒有得到耶穌的醫治。然而，信靠耶穌的人必能經歷祂帶來的醫治：絕望轉為盼望；怨懟轉為恩慈；以愛取代仇恨；以寬容取代責難。沒有任何科學新發現（或池水）能帶給我們這樣的醫治，唯有憑著信心才能得到痊愈。

A new cause for hope has emerged for people paralyzed by spinal cord injuries. German researchers have discovered a way to stimulate nerve growth to reconnect the neural pathways between the muscles and the brain. The regrowth has enabled paralyzed mice to walk again, and testing will continue to determine whether the therapy is safe and effective for humans. 

What science seeks to achieve on behalf of those who suffer paralysis, Jesus did through miracles. When he visited the pool at Bethesda, a place where many who ailed lingered in hopes of healing, Jesus sought out a man among them who “had been an invalid for thirty-eight years” (John 5:5). After confirming that the man did, indeed, wish to be healed, Christ instructed him to stand up and walk. “At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked” (v. 9). 

We’re not promised that all our physical ailments will be healed by God—there were others at the pool who weren’t healed by Jesus that day. But those who put their trust in Him can experience the healing He brings—from despair to hope, bitterness to grace, hatred to love, accusation to a willingness to forgive. No scientific discovery (or pool of water) can offer us such healing; it only comes by faith.