The pool of pain

John 5:1-15 …

The problem addressed: Do you want to be healed? There seem to be winners and losers in every stratum of life, even in the congregation of the convalescent. People are motivated by movement, and among those whose life has stalled, any sign of hope can be a cause for chaos. Physically, mentally, relationally, financially, emotionally, socially, and spiritually, we all have had areas where we were or are more invalid than strong. Instead of looking to the source of life, people treat life like a zero sum game, and when others may beat us to the punch, life seems to knock us out. Are you willing to answer Jesus, not knowing what He will say next?

The prescription administered: Get up, take up your bed, and walk. The man had not sought Jesus, and though lots of other hurting people were around, Jesus only came to the one man. Sometimes, what we need seems so close, and we think we know the right place, right time, and the right way to get it, yet it always seems to be just out of our grasp. That is when Jesus shows us that if we will do as He says, we find that He is a greater source and the solution to all our real problems. Are you willing to do what He says, even if you haven’t done it before?

The preventive aftercare: Sin no more, that nothing worse may happen to you. Not all sickness is due to personal sin, but apparently this man’s infirmity had been brought about by the sinful choices in his life. If we are often sliding back into familiar sin we should expect to suffer the consequences of carelessness. What good is it for Jesus to heal us if we are going right back to dancing with the devil and playing with the fire that burned us before (2 Peter 2:19-22)? Are you willing to go forward with Jesus, if freedom means you can’t go back?

Follow the Divine Doctor’s orders. Why go back to the pool of pain?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©