(Read John 5:1-16)
This morning we continue our series “Grace that is Simply Amazing.” John 5 opens with Jesus heading to Jerusalem for a Jewish festival. He entered the city through the Sheep Gate. This was the gate people brought their animals in through, because there was a market nearby. This being the case I could imagine it was a smelly and filthy place. Near the gate was a pool with five porches called “Bethesda”. Interestingly enough Bethesda means, “House of mercy.” At this place of mercy a large number of sick people – many who were blind, lame, or paralyzed – came and sat under the porches. They were there because an angel, from time to time, would come and stir the water in the pool. Once the water was stirred it was believed to hold healing power and the first person that got in the pool was healed. The sick were sitting around the pool waiting for the water to be stirred, hoping to get a breakthrough. So imagine the scene for a minute. Jerusalem had many gates but Jesus chose to enter the city through the gate which was near a market, full of live animals, and with a congregation of sick people lying next to a pool. This does not sound like the ideal place, but remember, Jesus did not do anything without being led of the Father. So it was no coincidence that Jesus came through this gate.
Sure enough, as to be expected, Jesus gravitated toward the sick and was led to address a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. When Jesus saw the man lying there and knew that he had been sick for a long time. Jesus asked the man, “Would you like to get well?” This is an interesting question. One would think that everyone there wanted to get well. But I believe Jesus wanted to see where his resolve was and it was clear from the man’s response that he was not determined at all. The man said, “Sir, I don’t have anyone to put me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I’m trying to get there, someone else steps into the pool ahead of me.” I know he was sick, but that is an excuse. However, Jesus ignored the poor excuse and said, “Get up, pick up your cot, and walk.” The man immediately became well, picked up his cot, and walked. Notice that the man did not earn it. He did not beat anyone to the pool. He did not exhibit exceptional faith. He did not even have a good answer for Jesus. However, Jesus healed the man simply because of God’s grace.
The healing took place on the Sabbath and when the religious leaders of the day saw the man who had just been healed of 38 years of paralysis, instead of rejoicing with him and giving praise to God, the graceless leaders focused on the fact that he was carrying his cot on the Sabbath. They said, “This is a day of worship. You’re not allowed to carry your cot today.” The man did not want to get in trouble so he said, “The man who healed me told me to pick up my cot and walk.” So the graceless religious leaders said, “You’re well now. Stop sinning so that something worse doesn’t happen to you.” Wow. They did not get it at all; and to make it worse, when they found out Jesus was responsible for the healing they began to persecute Him.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Never allow the rules of religious activity to cancel out the love and grace of God.
2. You can fail to the do the work OF the church by being so busy doing what you believe is work FOR the church.
3. Religion is about repetition and routine. Relationship is about intimacy and confidence. Seek a relationship with God, not religion.
4. Don’t berate people in the name of a loving God. God is love and if He is IN you, then His love should flow through you.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. This Word reminds me that I must maintain and intimate relationship with You. I have to admit that there have been times when I focused too much on rules and rituals and it came at the expense of my relationship with You and others. I will never allow a rule to keep me from loving You or loving others. You loved me by grace and I will seek to do the same for others. I can love You because You first loved me; and my love for You in exemplified in my love towards others. Use me Father to reach others today with Your love, grace, compassion, and mercy. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
