What were you doing 38 years ago? That was a long time ago. Some of you reading this might not even have been born yet. Many might have been only young children. I was in my mid-twenties and was working in busy downtown Chicago. Imagine no internet, no cell phones! It is also a very long time to be sick or crippled, and completely bedridden. That was the condition of a man highlighted in our Scripture passage today. Let’s take a look at the account of his meeting with the Lord Jesus.
There was a pool in the city of Jerusalem at the time of Jesus called Bethesda, whose water had healing qualities. Occasionally an angel would come down and stir up the water. Whoever was the first to get into the pool would be healed from whatever illness they had (vs. 1-4). Because of that, large numbers of sick people gathered around the pool's edge, waiting for the water to be stirred. Among them was a man who had been sick for 38 years. The exact nature of his illness is not specified, however we know that he lay on mat, and was unable to get to the water first, despite being there for 38 years.
Then one day Jesus came by. He saw this man. His desperate condition did not escape the notice of Jesus. Scripture says that Jesus knew that the man was ill and had been so for many years (vs. 6). He asked the man if he wanted to be made well. This man gave a very sad answer, stating that there was no one to help him get into the water. There are times when there is “no man” there to help us, as with this man. We have nowhere to turn. That’s when we need to turn to God. No man can do for us what Jesus can do for us. Family may let us down, the church may disappoint us, friends forsake us, but Jesus will be there in the time of our greatest need.
No one, over 38 years, had ever helped this man. He had no hope of ever being healed, and over time he had no desire to do much to help himself. There was something in the man’s attitude holding him back from even thinking about receiving healing. He had been in his condition for 38 years. It had become a part of his identity. Most of us, if we had been seriously sick for 38 years would answer Jesus right away, “Yes Sir! Most definitely!” However, there are some, if honest, who would not be so sure. They have given up all hope, don’t believe healing is available, or even prefer the attention they get while sick.
The sick man’s discouraging answer did not stop the Lord Jesus from bringing him the healing he needed. He told the man to get up, pick up his mat, and walk (vs. 8-9). Immediately the Pharisees took notice, and confronted the formerly sick man about carrying his mat on the Sabbath. They had seen the sick man for 38 years and had done nothing to help him, but now, right away, they condemned him for carrying his mat! (vs. 10). Carrying a mat on the Sabbath did not break any Old Testament laws, as Sabbath laws referred to one’s job. But it violated the Talmud, a collection of rabbi’s or man’s words, which the Pharisees followed even more closely than they did God’s Word. The man answered and told them that the man who healed him told him to carry it, however he didn’t know who that was (vs. 11-13).
A short while later the man meets Jesus again, and He warns the man to stop sinning or something worse will happen (vs. 14). This might imply that the man’s sickness was brought upon him because of his behavior. Although Scripture makes it clear that not all disease is a consequence of someone’s sin, illness at times may be directly tied to one’s moral behavior. One gets drunk and falls down a flight of stairs or in a car wreck, the injuries are directly a result of drunkenness. Certain immoral behavior can bring some nasty diseases. This man was healed physically, but needed to turn from his sins and seek God’s forgiveness, and be spiritually healed. However, we unfortunately do not see that here. The man turned around and told the Pharisees that it was Jesus who healed him (vs 15). He had no gratitude. He only resented that Jesus told him to mend his behavior.
The Pharisees tossed away the great miracle of healing, and saw only the perceived breaking of the Sabbath law, and was only breaking the man-made Talmudic law, which was adding to God’s law (vs. 16). Jesus paid absolutely no attention to man- made laws!
In closing, do we see those around us who may need a helping hand to get to their blessing? Are we there to help them up? If we are the one in need, have we become too discouraged and given up hope? Don’t give up hope, as Jesus is there, and He sees us. Perhaps there are some who need to get their life in order, as that man did. Reach up and accept Jesus today!
*****
I pray that you have enjoyed and benefited from these Bible meditations that I have written for this blog. I hope you will prayerfully consider donating as the Lord might lead you. This blog is not run through a large ministry with a wide funding base. I am an individual with limited financial resources. Thank you and God bless.
No comments:
Post a Comment