JOHN 5:1-14

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 18, 2007

IT COULD BE WORSE BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE TO BE

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.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, "It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed."
11 He answered them, "He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’"

12 Then they asked him, "Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?" 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you." St. John 5:1-14 (NKJV)

Can you imagine what it would be like if you were in the waiting area of a hospital emergency room along with many other people in need of medical attention. In this emergency room, there was not a sign in sheet, you did not take a number so that you might be called in the order that you arrived. You just waited until the door opened and someone said "Next" and the first one through the open door was next. You were alone, no one to help you. You were in so much pain that you could not walk; you could only scoot along the floor. There was no way you would ever be next.

This was the problem that the man at the pool of Bethesda had faced for 38 years. Then came Jesus. After those few words between Jesus and the lame man, Jesus told the man to take up his bed and walk. Immediately the man was healed, he picked up whatever he used for a bed and walked away.

Very often when we read of this miracle we stop here without reading the rest of the story. When he was asked, the man who was healed did not know who it was that healed him. Later, Jesus spoke with him again and then he knew it was Jesus. Then Jesus spoke the words that we often pass over, "See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you."

It is not enough just to say, "Thank you Jesus for healing me." It takes more than words. It takes action. This is not a harsh statement from Jesus; in fact, it is something that we deal with in daily life. In the business world, an employee makes a major, costly mistake. Instead of firing the employee, the employer lifts the burden of the error and says "You are forgiven, but don’t do it again or you will be in a worse situation than you are today."

Whatever our problem is as we lie by the pool of Bethesda waiting for someone to help us get in, it could be worse, but it does not have to be. Helplessly we go to Jesus, the only One who can free us from our sin. Confidently we walk away after hearing those words, "Go and sin no more, your faith has made you well." Now it is up to you. As you go through life and stumble into sin, go immediately to Jesus seeking forgiveness. Don’t let sin build in your life to a point beyond that when you were by the pool at Bethesda, for then it will be worse and it does not have to be.

WE PRAY: LORD, I am a sinner. LORD, you died on the Cross for my sins. LORD, you are my only hope. LORD, you are my GOOD SHEPHERD, help me to hear and respond to your voice each time you call my name when I stay away. AMEN

A SUGGESTION FOR LIVING THE DEVOTION

Can you think of a time when you have helped someone fix something? Do you remember how thankful they were because they did not know what to do? Be prepared to help someone to the Presence of Jesus when they cannot handle the burdens of sin and life.