Saturday, 5 September 2020 John 5:1-30
“When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time; he said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" -John 5:6
In John 5:1-15 we see a person who has been sick for 38 years and lying near the pool. During these long 38 years, he was expecting a miracle in his life, a life changing moment. But nothing happened in these all years. May be he might have been totally broken. Here comes Jesus with a question “Do you want to be healed?” We may wonder at Jesus’ question – was it really necessary to ask, while it was obvious? In another sense, Jesus’ question is “DO YOU HAVE HOPE?” The sick person’s response was just about his circumstances and inabilities (John 5:7).
If we look into our lives, we can see the same response in us too - complaining about our situations, walking without any hope, cursing our luck, while staying very close to Jesus. However, Jesus didn’t seem to be concerned about the sick man’s complaints and circumstances, He commanded him to Rise up, Take up his bed and walk. (V.8) This is the same pattern that applies to us—see what these 3 commands mean to us today:
“Rise up”: Jesus came into our lives that were dead in sin and raised us up ((Ephesians 2:1). He did it purely because of His love towards us (John 3:16). There is a lasting change that happens in each of us when we heed to His words – which is imperishable (1 Peter 1:23). When He raised us up from our dead state, there is a purpose and that is to move forward!
“Take up thy bed”: After raising us up from our sins, Jesus wants us to take up something and that is – our cross!! It’s not ending there: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” ( Matthew 16:24). The cross referred here is not the cross of Jesus, but ours! Cross represents death- therefore taking up our cross means dying to our self!
After taking our cross, we need to walk…
Walk: For the one who took His cross it is a new beginning. An exciting walk with Jesus. It’s not like the past 38 years of Life, it’s not like the life which we lived before. It’s a walk according to HIS WILL. Therefore let us go to him outside the camp and bear the reproach he endured. (Hebrew 13:12-13). Can we walk thus? “For here we have no lasting city, but we seek the city that is to come” (Heb 13:14)
Our circumstances always distracts us from reaching the destination which God has planned for us but those who seek after His will, surely will reach it. Rising above our circumstances, taking up our cross we need to walk and walk in His will, surely HE will be with you. "I will never leave you nor forsake you."(Hebrews 13:5). Can we say together “I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me” (John 5:30).
Dear brother/sister, today Jesus asks the same question "Do you want to be healed?" if your answer is YES, submit your life into His hand and pray:
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I invite Jesus into my heart and bring my life under His authority. Thank you for bringing me out from darkness into Your light. Help me to walk in Your will and to follow in Christ’s steps until I reach the destination. In Jesus name, Amen.
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