Racking Up the Miracles
John 5:1-23 (May 7)
Jesus continues his journey and finds himself in Jerusalem. It is a holy day.
He sees the crowds of sick people gathered by the pool of Bethesda. When I think of crowds and pools...I think "Yuck!" (Do you know what happens in crowded public pools? Especially full of children?)
This crowd isn't really there for sunbathing, taking a leisurely dip, or using the pool as a restroom. They are there because they are sick and need healing, and these are supposed to be healing waters.
Now I am thinking of hot tubs and the healing of sore muscles and aches & pains. That sounds pretty good right now, as
ling as the "pee pee crowd" isn't there!
One poor man has suffered for 38 years. Just thinking about that sounds awful. When we get an ache or pain, we want immediate relief. This guy has been suffering for 38 years and has no hope of help because he can't seem to get to the healing waters.
What he doesn't realized is that he is about to be healed by the Living Water!
Jesus approaches him. "Would you like to get well?"
This poor man expresses his discouragement and Jesus simply tells him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"
The man received instant healing. This is miracle Number 3 for Jesus. He is just racking up the miracles wherever his feet take him!
The problem in all this was that this healing took place on the Sabbath. There were objections from the Jewish leaders, considering Jesus to be "working" on the Sabbath, which was against the rules. (Whoa...wait a minute! Are they saying Jesus, Lord of Lords, is a rule breaker??!!)
They came at Jesus with their accusations and he simply replied, "My Father is always working, and so am I."
Oh friends, aren't you glad Jesus us ALWAYS working? Aren't you grateful that he doesn't take a day off...or a 2-week vacation.
Where would we all be if Jesus took time off? What would we do, battling this world in our own?
On the flip side of that, do you ever feel like Jesus IS taking a day off from a situation in your life? Maybe you feel like he doesn't hear your prayers? Or you don't feel his presence.
Let me promise you this...He will NEVER leave you or forsake you. He hears every prayer, sees every tear that slides down your cheek, and suffers every heartache alongside you.
Sometimes we just have to be patient. We have to wait for God's timing which is so much greater than our own. But the assurance is, that when the time is right, he will answer you. He will tell you to "pick up your mat and walk."