Have you heard the story that begins in John 5? Read it again, to refresh you mind:
“Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which … called Bethesda … surrounded by five … colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.”
Perhaps, today we fit in some dis-abled body, blind in not knowing what direction to go, or which way is right. Lame, with brokenness that often brings fear and lonely nights. Or paralyzed, unable to make a move at all. Where fear makes the decisions, and faith has no call. Sheep we are, needing help at the gate. We believe we are victims, while the world whirls on.
Are our minds always doubting – is there no fear of God? Is there One who can make our crooked ways, straight? Read the story through – John 5 verse 8.
“One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.”
(Thirty-eight years? This thought in John 5 verse 4, can bring us to tears.)
“When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition … a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’
“Of course he does,” we say to ourselves, but then the next thought pierces through to our hearts: “Do you want to get well?”
“Did Jesus just learn of our miserable plight? Have we not talked to Him, the One who is able? The One with All-Might? Can we learn anything from this man’s excuse:
“‘Sir,’ the invalid replied, ‘I have no one to help me into the pool … While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down …
ahead of me.’
Yes, I have to confess, that I look out for help, and not up so much of the time.
I am guilty …
of going it alone, doing it ‘my way’. Fear makes the call, and I let Doubt speaks his mind.
Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; …”
At once, the man was cured. Not in a day or a weak, but immediately! This is the Word of God in John 5 verse 8. Do we let the words sink in and believe? What did the man who met Jesus do?
Today, can I see that Jesus is talking to me, and possibly … you?
So much for ‘meek and mild.’ Jesus’ Words are power!
So what was the choice of the man at the pool near the gate, after Jesus met him and exhorted, “Get up and walk?”
” … he picked up his mat and walked.” This man couldn’t do that – but he did! He obeyed.
“Do you want to be well?” was the question from God. “Then ‘get up’ right now, and make no provision for failure. Move forward, away from this place.”
Jesus is here, Jesus is speaking. He is the One able and willing. “Today, today, Lord Jesus I choose, to ‘go down’ in surrender – on my knees, yes today,…
to give up my fight. My fight against You. You’re the One who is able to forgive me and heal me and make me to stand. You give me sight, and strength to my soul. Jesus, I’m willing to turn to You and follow, with mat in my hand,
Faith-full, instead of Doubt-full – will You help me?
I believe, Lord Jesus, You’ve got my tomorrow.