Jesus Heals an Invalid at Bethesda

Have you ever had a situation where you just didn’t have the opportunity afforded to you for a breakthrough? The man who was an invalid for thirty-eight years was in such a position. He had probably gotten used to his disability, and lying beside other invalids every day probably heightened the sense of resignation to his lot in life. We often read this passage and accuse the man of giving excuses, but in reality, he had no way of making his way into the water, except in the rare moments when an angel stirred it. It seemed hopeless until Jesus entered the colonnade. Jesus meets him and, on hearing his story, heals him in an instant.

Jesus’ command seems curt: “Pick up your mat and walk”, but it feels just about right that for a man who, up until now, could not do anything besides lie on a mat, to be told to do something decisive and intentional to participate in his healing. Jesus doesn’t stop there, but when he meets the man a while later, he tells him to stop sinning so that something worse doesn’t happen to him. Jesus seems to be calling the man out of a passive lifestyle into one of self-discipline and God-consciousness.

We sometimes find ourselves backed into a corner with limited options. It could be an unexpected health diagnosis, job loss or a relationship setback. Whatever it looks like, you may not have had any opportunity to change your status quo, but when you call on Jesus to intervene, He invites you into your miracle.

The prophet Isaiah writes of how God will go before King Cyrus to help him bring restoration to an exiled Israel. It would require that Cyrus take decisive steps forward in obedience, in order for God to go before him and bring him success in all he undertakes. It could be as simple as taking specific steps toward your healing, reconciliation, or praying strategic prayers that you are led to pray. Irrespective of what God leads you to do, you will begin to see the miracle of partnering with Jesus.