A young man in his early thirties walked up to a pool one day. When he arrived, more than 300 people were already sitting, laying around the pool. This was not a pool of pleasure and enjoyment. This was known as a pool of healing, its proper name, The Pool of Bethesda. The young man was Jesus. He was on a mission that day, a lesson was to be learned by everyone in Jerusalem and for us today.
Jesus is part of the Triune Godhead. He is God. Jesus could have spoken the words and everyone there that day would’ve been healed. Instead, His focus was on one man, one man who had been paralyzed, unable to walk for thirty-eight years. The gospel of John tells the story in chapter five.
In verse six, Jesus asked the paralyzed man a question, a very simple, straight-forward question. “Do you want to get well?” If you had a cold, or something as debilitation as cancer or diabetes and someone asked you that question what would you say? Of course we all want to be well, we want to be rid of any ailment. Yet, this man on this day, does not answer the question posed by Jesus.
Instead, He says, “Sir, I don’t have anyone to help me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” What was he doing? He was making excuses, much like we do today. For years I thought that was it, he was simply making excuses, and I could relate that to many in the church today. As I was preparing to share with a church last week, I realized it was not only excuses. The paralytic man was making excuses because he could not see beyond the obstacles in front of him.
He did not answer the question because he could not see God’s provision standing in front of him. In the next verse we see Jesus’ response. He did not coddle, sympathize, or empathize with the man. Jesus again straight-forward gives a command. “Get up. Take up your mat and walk.” If you’ve ever had surgery or had your leg in a cast for several weeks, you know it takes time to regain strength to walk. This man had not been able to walk for 38 years, yet he immediately stood straight up – without help, then bent over (another impossibility) and picked up his mat and walked away from the pool.
Jesus looked right past the man’s words and watched for his actions. Today, we make excuses often because we cannot see beyond the obstacles in front of us. “We don’t have enough people or money.” Or “We’re all too old.” If you believe in the God of creation then you should know He is the God who can overcome all obstacles and provide exactly what we need. It’s not your words, but your actions that prove your faith commitment.
Today, what will your prayer consist of asking for God’s forgiveness for the obstacles that you have focused on, keeping you from seeing God’s miraculous victory in your life and the life of your church?
George Yates is an Organizational Health Strategist and coach, assisting churches, organizations, and individuals in pursuing God’s purpose for life. Click here to receive this blog in your email inbox each Tuesday.