Another year around the sun and as I turned 57 on Dec. 30 I realize that no matter how old we get – we all need Jesus. Though the world may label us old, out dated or off our rockers, the truth is without Jesus we are all lost and inadequate. However, when we tell the Lord that we can’t do this life sentence without Him, faithfully He steps up and steps in just in the nick of time.
In my pastor’s sermon this week he preached on the healing of the man by the pool of Bethesda in John 5. Pastor Furtick focused on how Jesus stops. Jesus sees. Jesus says. Though others pass this man by, Jesus stops. This is who Jesus is – the Good Shepherd that goes after the one. Jesus actually sees the man not the mat (labeled sickness) that he’s been lying on for 38 years. Then Jesus asks him “If he wants to be healed” and waits for his answer before Jesus says “Get up. Take up your bed and walk.” And the man does.
To me the irony of the story is this was one of the Jewish festivals. This pool was called Bethesda because it had five porches that held “a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.” Because at a certain time an angel would come and stir the water and whoever stepped into the water first was healed. Yet even though the number five means “Grace” how many religious people had simply passed by all these poor people extended no grace, only judgement because of their sickness? In fact, many sicknesses were regarded as infirmities caused by sin. Like in John 9:2 when Jesus was asked “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind?” But Jesus tells them “Neither this man nor his parents sinned, but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in his life.” So many times I believe religious people believe that sickness must be God’s punishment, but this passage refutes that very idea. Instead of physical suffering being a direct punishment for personal sin, it’s presented as an opportunity for God to show His power and for grace to be extended.
However, that’s not what the religious folk had done for 38 years. They had walked right past him, not even giving him the time of day. Yet Jesus stops for him and sees him not as an invalid but for what he could be if he believed what Jesus said and would get up and take up his sick bed forever.
In life I know that people will always knock you down, or see that you’re down and bypass you. They don’t want to have to deal with sickness or even death. Yet how quickly they come running to tell the man he can’t pick up his mat on their holy day. What? Can you imagine being told you can’t be healed? Yet that is what happened back in Jesus’ time and is still happening today. Religion is still trying to dictate how, when, where and even if you can be healed and set free. Doctors are saying “There is no cure for your disease” and “You will just have to learn how to cope with your mental illness and anxiety.” Really? Because my Jesus said “Get up! Take up your bed.”
I truly believe how you view yourself or who you allow to dictate your circumstances to really is relevant. What if the man had said ok when the religious confronted him and went back to lie down? I believe he would’ve lost his healing. Instead he had to step out in faith and believe the words that Jesus had spoken over him. He had to go against the norm.
In fact, if you read on in this passage you will see that the man didn’t even know who Jesus was, but did what He said to do. So God is no respecter of persons. However, the religious folk were angry because Jesus and this man weren’t following their rules. And they were really mad when Jesus made Himself equal with God.
Jesus then goes on and says “Truly, truly, I say unto you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live… for an hour is coming when all who are in the tombs will hear His voice and come out, those who have done good to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil to the resurrection of judgment.”
So don’t be fooled by this old world, my friend. Take heed of His words and do exactly what He says. There are a lot of people going by the way of the grave but I believe we can reach out and touch the hem of his garment and be made whole.
It’s so true. We all need Jesus. And we all need to do exactly as He says. So don’t lose hope. Healing is just around the corner. Hope is at your door. His name is Jesus! Don’t be afraid to pick up your mat and run with the promise that you are whole body, soul and spirit because He is faithful.
