John 5:1-9 NKJV 1 After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, "Do you want to be made well?" 7 The sick man answered Him, "Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me." 8 Jesus said to him, "Rise, take up your bed and walk." 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed and walked. 10 Reasons the Sick Man should have left: 1. He had been waiting for thirty-eight years. 2. Someone always stepped in first, even when they saw him coming. 3. He had no one to carry him 4. He couldn't put himself in the pool-therefore, leaving very little hope for a healing. 5. No one knew when the angel would stir the water. 6. There were many other people competing for the same thing (to step in first). 7. He had to endure all the weather conditions. 8. He was away from his family and/or friends 9. I assume that people mocked him for believing God would heal him after all those years. 10. God allowed him to be sick for almost forty years. 1 Reason He stayed: FAITH Over and over, he resisted the urge to leave, because He knew that one day, he would be healed by God. He continuely watched others get their healing, even when it was at the expense of his own. I imagine that some pushed him out of the way to get to the water, first. But somehow, he knew he had to wait just a little bit longer. He knew that what God had for him was only for him, and no other man could take it. Because of this man's faith, Jesus seeked him out. The Bible says that there was a great multitude around the pool, yet I find it amazing that Jesus was there for only one man. Will your faith cause Jesus to seek you out to give you a blessing? I hope you enjoyed reading the word of God in a new light. Have a Happy Wednesday! God Bless, Min. Tommy & Sis. Shatika Gray _________________________________________________________________________ It's easy to trust God for the things we asked Him for, but when it comes to the things He asks us to accomplish for Him, we forget how to trust Him. -Shatika Gray- |
| Man of Faith Aug. 4, 2004 |