READ: 1 Kings 1, 2 ; Psalm 144 ; John 5: 1-23
SCRIPTURE: John 5: 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
OBSERVATION: The man we see here was lying near the pool for 38 years with an improbable hope that someday he would get his healing. However, when Jesus voluntarily went near him and asked, “Do you want to get well?”, he did not give a direct answer. Instead, by putting the blame on others, he was saying why he hadn’t yet received his healing. His prolonged physical sickness and waiting might have drained all his enthusiasm. Obviously, like the Samaritan woman (Jn.4:10), he did not know who was speaking with him. So he did not ask Jesus to heal him. However, Jesus told him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk”. Immediately his long waiting came to an end and he was cured. We do not know his exact disability or sickness (He may be a blind, or a lame, or a paralyzed). All we know is when Jesus met him, he was no longer a sick person. Although most of the healing miracles of Jesus took place in response to the faith of the person who looked for a miracle, this passage tells us that Jesus can heal a person even if he doesn’t have enough faith in him.
In today’s world, there is no one without sickness. We know that not everyone who is sick seeks the Lord for a miraculous healing. We should remember that Jesus could heal anyone he wishes. Near the Bethesda pool, there were many people waiting for a miracle. But Jesus healed only this man who waited for 38 years. Sadly, the man who received the miraculous healing was not faithful to Jesus and his words. Jesus did not expect anything from him. He told him, ““See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you” (v.14). Jesus was not saying that sickness is the result of sin. Rather, Jesus’ words indicate that the man’s sins may have caused his prolonged illness and waiting. Jesus is faithful to speak to us and heal us even today. We can ask Jesus to heal sick people who don’t even know or believe in God. Jesus is not limited by a person's lack of faith.
APPLICATION: Jewish leaders were not able to see the greatness of the miracle as their eyes were on the observance of their tradition. When Jesus is doing something spectacular in my life, I should be open to listen and obey his words. When I obey Jesus, it does not matter how many years I waited, my long waiting would come to an end. I should live a life that pleases him. Waiting for God never goes in vain.
PRAYER: Jesus, your words have power to heal any sickness. Lord, help me to seek you not just for a miracle, but to know you and to honor you in and through my life. Amen.
- Arputharaj Samuel
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