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[expand title=”Devotion Text”]John 5:2-6
Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
“Do you want to be healed?” That seems like an odd question, doesn’t it? The man had been sick for almost four decades and was lying next to what many believed to be a healing pool. And yet Jesus asks the question, “Do you want to be healed?” The man did not respond with a “yes” or “no.” He simply gave excuses. Someone, the man explained, always beat him to the healing waters.
Now move with me from the physical to the spiritual…from physical disabilities to spiritual ones. Is it possible that some people are satisfied with their spiritual disabilities—at least not dissatisfied enough to do anything about them? Many of us will quickly excuse our spiritual weaknesses; maybe even blaming someone else. Let’s be honest, sometimes living in our weakness is more convenient, for sure, more comfortable. The expectations are lower and the responsibilities less. It is often easier to explain why you can’t do the right thing than it is to get the right thing done.
The man in today’s passage had been sick for thirty-eight years! It would seem that just one time, somehow, he could have made it into the waters. Jesus asked, “Do you want to get well?” Spiritually speaking—to all who have been lying on a mat of spiritual weakness for some time—are you getting too comfortable there? Do you want to get well? If you do, the Healer stands before you. Hear his instruction—stand up and walk in obedience. He desperately wants you to get up off the spiritual mat and follow hard after him. Do you want to?
Talking Points
- Ask God to show you areas of weakness where you have become comfortable.
- Ask God to give you his strength to get up and get going.
Lord Jesus, forgive me for becoming comfortable with my sin. Forgive me for staying down on the spiritual mat. Give me the desire to get up and walk away from my sin. Thank you for forgiveness and strength to follow hard after you. In your name. Amen.
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