Read John 5:1-18
This morning we continue our series entitled, “The Year of Supernatural Manifestation”, with our mini-series on “The Miracles of Jesus.” In John 5 we find Jesus returning to Jerusalem. He entered the city through the sheep gate. This is the place where animals were brought into the city. It was not clean and it did not smell good. It was a filthy place and it is also where the blind, sick and crippled gathered. They congregated around the Pool of Bethesda. It was believed that this pool had some sort of healing power. Supposedly an angel would come and stir the waters from time and time and the first person to get into the pool after the stirring of the waters would be healed.
One of the men lying by the pool had been crippled for 38 years. Jesus looked at the man, learned that he had been in this condition for so long, and asked, “Do you want to get well?” Most of the sick people there were in that filthy place because they believed they could get healed. But Jesus questioned this man’s desire. Jesus wanted to know if this man truly wanted it. When the man opened his mouth, we can see why Jesus asked the question. The man was full of excuses. He said, “Sir, there is no one to help me get into the water when it starts moving. I try to be the first one into the water. But when I try, someone else always goes in before I can.”
The King of Glory was standing by a crippled man. The Answer Himself, was standing right in front of the problem. The one man who had the power to change this crippled man’s life, was asking him, “Do you really want it?”, and all the man had was excuses. This guy was crippled in more places than one. His legs might have been incapacitated, but his mind and heart were lame as well. Jesus did not address the man’s excuses. Instead, Jesus He laid it all out on the line and said, “Stand up! Pick up your mat and walk.” Immediately the man’s legs regained their strength. He was healed. He picked up his mat and started walking. This was it. Just like that, his life was changed forever!
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Y ou have to really want it!
a) When Jesus encountered a crippled man at the Pool of Bethesda who was full of excuses, He questioned the man’s desire. If you don’t want it, you won’t get it.
b) Desire and faith go hand-in-hand. You won’t ever release your faith for something you don’t truly desire.
c) Some people have become so comfortable in their condition — whether it be a sickness, poverty, etc. — that they don’t truly want to get better, because they are accustomed to the pity they receive in their current state. If you ever get comfortable in a bad situation, you won’t have the desire required to get out!
2. Excuses will get you nowhere with God and in life.
a) You can always find excuses, but why would you want to? Excuses will only keep you in your situation longer.
b) Never attempt to justify mediocrity. Accept your mistakes and determine to move forward.
c) Putting the blame on others keeps you from confronting your own inadequacies. Stop looking at others and deal with yourself.
d) Take responsibility for your actions. Realize that for the most part, who you are and where you are today is a result of the decisions you have made in life. If you do not like where you are, it’s time to make better decisions.
3. Be ready when God is ready.
a) Jesus was ready to change this man’s life, but He questioned whether or not the man was ready. If the man was not ready, he was going to miss out on his only chance to change his situation.
b) Sometimes we get frustrated when God’s timing does not line up with our desire. But I am sure it is even more frustrating to God when His timing has come and WE ARE NOT READY!
c) Jesus came to give you access to an Abundant and Victorious Life (John 10:10, 1 John 5:4) in Him. God has done His part. But this life is accessed by faith. You have to choose to become the man/woman God called you to be. You have to choose to walk in God’s best. Whether or not you receive and walk in the life and victory God planned for you is UP TO YOU! The choice is yours! What will you choose?
Closing Confession: Father, this is a year of Great Victory for me. You made plans for me before the world began. You called me, chose me, prepared me, and destined me to leave a mark in this world. Your part is done. Your grace is there. You are now looking for my faith. I will never release my faith for something I don’t desire. And I will never release my faith if I keep making excuses. Therefore, I declare, that I will never make excuses for my situation. I will never focus on blaming others. I will never get comfortable in mediocrity. I have a desire to become the man/woman You called me to be and my desire fuels my faith! I will complete my assignment. I will die empty! I will change the world. Not by my power, but only by Your grace. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
