5 One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” 8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.
John 5:5-9
Abraham wasn't perfect. He failed, made mistakes. But, he would go back, get right with God, and then just keep moving forward. He didn't quit when things got hard. He just kept on going. And everywhere he went, God was there. God was with him.
-Anne Graham Lotz
It’s a packed afternoon and Jesus walks straight up to a man who had been disabled for 38 years and asks him, “Do you want to get well?” Most of us think the answer is obvious. Duh? Or was it? It is probably safe to say that Jesus has never asked a pointless or foolish question. So it is probably safe to say that this man’s answer was critical to his circumstances. As strange as it may seem, there are many people who do not want to be healed, even though they constantly complain about their situation or condition. They may have become comfortable with their situation or condition.
This man may have experienced major life changes that might have been detrimental and/or required many changes. How about your condition? Do you want to be healed of your sin or your addiction or anything else you are struggling with? Do you want to be healed of the anxiety or depression you are dealing with due to the pandemic? Do you want your marriage or family relationship healed? This man’s answer to Jesus’ question was very interesting. Instead of the expected answer; “Duh, of course, why else would I be here?!” He said, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool.” He was really saying, “Yes, I want to be healed, but I cannot. I have no hope, it’s impossible with no help.”
So many of us have fallen into this trap, this kind of hopeless thinking. We have given up on hope, on the hope of things ever changing, of being healed, or being set free. How many times has God wanted to talk to us about what He wants to do in our lives? Unfortunately all we want to talk about are all the reasons as to why things cannot change?
We all want to hear those words, “Get up.”
We need to decide and choose, to allow God to do what He wants for our lives. And then GET UP.
Family Time:
How can we begin setting aside time for family devotionals?
What do we need to “get up” from?
Meditate:
5 One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the disabled man answered, “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” 8 “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk.” 9 Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk.
John 5:5-9
Pray:
Father, with so much going on, I just want to throw in the towel. Please help me GET UP and live the life You have for me.
About the author:
Jose Aguilar Jr. is an Associate Pastor at FBC Weslaco and has served in this capacity for the last 12 years. He and his wife Blanca have served faithfully at FBC Weslaco since 2001. They are the proud grandparents of Lilyana Faythe and Trinidad Esperanza Aguilar.