Thursday, March 20, 2008

John 5

Jesus, here continues His miracles. He came to the Pool of Bethesda where miracles were already happening daily. An angel would come down and trouble the waters and the first person to dip their feet into the water was healed. However, there was a lame man who had been there for 38 years, but he could never step into the water in time. Someone always got there first. So Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed and he simply told Jesus his sorry plight: someone always gets to the water before I do. So, Jesus told him to take up his bed and walk. Of course, the Jews, always eager to find fault, told this man that he should not be carrying his bed on the Sabbath day. He told them that the Person who had healed him was the one who told him to carry his bed. When they found out that it was Jesus, they sought to kill him.

 
 

What an amazing miracle. This man had patiently tried for 38 years to get to the pool, but, being lame, he could never get there first. Jesus had compassion on this man and healed him. Then, the Jews put a sad note on the end of this story. How are we doing? Are we rejoicing with people who have victories or are we criticizing and finding fault? Let's build people up and encourage them , not tear them down and discourage them.

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