When God Says …
“Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.” (John 5:12-15 KJV)
One can't help but wonder the amazing scenario that just transpired. Here is a man who languished in his disability for almost four decades. He's been in wait, along with others, to dip in a pool for hope of healing but could not. He's hindered by his ailment and, as he stated: "I have no one to put me into the pool." It's a wonder how he got in there in the first place? And, why he, who brought him there, did not help him get to the pool when it stirs? And, now after a long wait and thirty eight years of suffering, he is healed, up and walking with his bed. Instead of being grateful, he flaunted himself to the religious leaders of the time. He did not even bother to find out who healed him. Hence, he couldn't answer when asked: who was he? The Lord Jesus actually slipped quickly and disappeared into the crowd of multitudes. This man is one of the most ungrateful recipient of grace, who was healed by the Lord Jesus Christ. He has contracted some kind of paralysis-syndrome. He has adapted to his long life of suffering, numb and ungrateful to the sudden change of fortune.
However, the Lord Jesus happened to him again a bit later at the temple. And, He said to the newly healed man a revealing cautionary statement: “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14 NLT). This revealed that the man's disability may have been due to sinful lifestyle. Which, we can relate to present day influx of habit borne illnesses plaguing the world. And, sinful habits are not only affecting the physical health. The Lord warned the man of something worse that can happen alluding to the fate of one's soul, eternally.
When the once crippled man learned who healed him, un-mindful of the warning given him, he rushed to tell the religious Jews who interrogated him that it was the Lord Jesus Christ. Whatever this man's motive is, only him and God knows. We can only infer, this man is truly a man devoid of the sense of decency to appreciate his newly found physical wholeness. This is such a profound reminder for us all, as God's beloved, save by His grace through faith in Christ Jesus. We are given a new life, reborn from a life dead in sin, now made alive through His death and resurrection. So, “Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving; let us make a joyful noise to him with songs of praise! For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.” (Psalm 95:2-3 ESV)
And I say, AMEN!
Daily reflections by:
F. A. Frias
PFC Ministries
(When God says... I say, AMEN! is a provocative reflection of the Lord's holy Word. It intends to challenge every seeker of truth to dig deep into the core of the Word of Life to point every being to Christ Jesus - the author and finisher of our faith, and to draw revelations for change, for nourishment and for strength of every soul.)
Partners For Christ Ministries, INC
P. O. Box 773716
Ocala, FL 34477
Touching lives in Cambodia, The Philippines, The Middle East, The USA, and... other countries.
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