Day 267 – Jesus undeterred
Scripture focus: But true wisdom and power are found in God; counsel and understanding are his. Job 12:13 NLT
“I just don’t understand why she keeps doing this to herself!”
“If you know it’s bad for you, why don’t you just stop doing it?”
“Why doesn’t he want to get better?”
Families of the addicted ask lots of questions when faced with an addict who sincerely seems to want to change – but never actually gets around to doing so. Frustrated, confused, and sometimes critical – when the desire to be transformed doesn’t translate into action – eventually, people are tempted to grow weary and judgmental.
Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people – blind, crippled, paralyzed – were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”
Do YOU want to get well? Jesus asked a question that SHOULD bring an obvious response. But listen to how the invalid answers.
The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”
The cynics among us may hear a hint of whine in the man’s voice. Perhaps he has grown comfy in his role of victim. Maybe he thinks it is someone else’s job to get him into the healing pool. Others may feel sympathetic. After all, what’s the guy supposed to do? Roll himself into the waters? Wouldn’t those with more mobility crowd around the waters, blocking his path?
Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off…. John 5:1-9 The Message
I wonder what holds you back from wellness. Do you feel that there is no one to help you along the road to recovery? Are others blocking your pathway to peace? Jesus asked the man a question – and the guy didn’t even answer it. Instead, he offered up an excuse. Maybe it was a valid reason, it’s possible it was not.
But here’s the really cool part of the story – Jesus healed him. The sick man didn’t have to get himself to a level of clarity of thought and mind BEFORE Jesus would act. Jesus stood among hundreds of sick people – and he paid attention to the one. One guy, who couldn’t muster up a resounding, “Yes, Lord, I want to be healed!” Jesus was undeterred. Maybe your mind is confused. The world as you know it may be coming to an end – and you feel fine. Is that denial or faith-filled living? Who knows?!? But this we can know – Jesus is determined to heal the hurting. Whether they KNOW the extent of their injuries or not! I pray Jesus picks you out of the crowd today and provides you with something you desperately need – whether you know you need it or not! Start walking!
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