“Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.“
– John 5:8,9
 The last several days I have shared many scriptural “light bulb” moments about the man at the Pool of Bethesda. I want to highlight one additional illumination from John 5. The man who was an invalid for 38 years teaches us that we have to decide to believe. Having heard the man’s excuses, Jesus finally gave him a choice.
In John 5 verse 8 it says, “Then Jesus said to him, ‘Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.’ ” The man had a moment of decision, right? He had difficulty walking but he needed to pick up his mat and walk to receive his healing. It was up to him to try in faith to believe the word of God and just stand up. Or he could have said no, I don’t feel like it because I do not want to lose my friends, I don’t want to lose my pool, and I certainly do not want to lose my handouts. And by the way, if it didn’t work, it would be quite embarrassing for him. I congratulate this man. Instead of thinking about his excuses, he got up and walked. On top of that, he picked up his mat and did it on the Sabbath, which was against religious rules at the time. Friend, at the end of the day, it’s not religion that heals us; it’s not special pools, it’s not special places, and it’s not external forces; it’s God. Are you aware that God is available right now through Jesus Christ to heal you through His Holy Spirit? The possibility of this is available to you right now! It is truly amazing to have God transform your life! |
Prayer
Father, help me to not make excuses, but to believe in You so that I may be healed.
Reflection
How have you overcome your excuses and believed God’s word?
If you’re unable to attend your local church or need some additional weekly inspiration, be sure to tune into Hour of Power every Sunday morning at 11:00 a.m. PT on TBN or watch online at hourofpower.org/episode.
