A sample

Here is a sample from my devotions on the book of John. Enjoy...

John 5

What does God require of us?

I have to ask myself. Does God heal for my good or for His? If it’s for mine, which I believe is the case, why does He ask if I want it? Take a minute and read John 5:1-9.

I must confess that there is sin in my life. I don’t necessarily like to talk about it, but it is true nonetheless. Because I have read it in the Scriptures I know that because of sin in my life I deserve death. This is true not only for me, but for everyone. I also know Jesus can save me from said deserved death. So the question is why doesn’t He just do it?

In the above passage Jesus approaches the man who had been sick for 38 years and asks in verse 6, “Do you wish to get well?” At first it may seem like a silly question. Of course he would want to get well. Why would anyone want to stay in sickness?

Ironically, this question begs a question. Why do people stay in their sickness when Jesus offers us a hand up? All people are sick. We are sick with sin. But healing is available. Unfortunately, instead of getting healed for good, we take ‘medicines” to temporarily feel better. We make excuses, ignore it, look to relationships, turn to artificial substance, or do it on our own. We put up with the sickness.

The man in the passage tells Jesus he has no way of getting to the water; to the help he thinks he needs. He does not even assume Jesus is there to help him. The man does want to be healed. Do you? As soon as he admitted he needed help, Jesus commanded him to get up and go. The man then had to follow Jesus’ direction in faith and allow the healing to take place. And it did.

Once a person accepts Christ’s help, the sickness is healed. However, the “germs” and symptoms remain, requiring us to continually ask for His help. Is there any area Jesus is asking if you’d like to be healed? Is there any area Jesus is currently asking you to pick up your mat and walk? Take a minute now and consider whether there is someone (Jesus) who wants to help you into the moving waters.