A few weeks ago I wrote a blog for a friend of mine and I asked if he had a problem with me sharing it here with you and he said go for it. So here it is.
One of my favorite stories in the bible is the story in John 5. The chapter starts off telling of how around this pool the sick, blind, lame and paralyzed stayed. They stayed here because and an angel would go down to the pool from time to time and stir the water. Then the first one in the water was healed of their ailment. One man had been there for 38 years and today was his lucky day. Jesus was in town. Jesus walked by this man and knew he had been there for years. He said to him “Do you want to get well?” The man replied that he had no one to help him get in the pool when the water was stirred.
Healing only comes for those who want it. Clearly this man wanted to be healed and that was the reason he was waiting by the pool. Evidently the man could get around to some degree, but was not fast enough to be the first into the pool. This had happened several times before, but it showed the man had real character in his persistence. He kept trying and did not give up. Jesus then looked at the man and said “Get up, pick up your bed and walk.” Instantly, as Jesus spoke the words, the man was completely healed. To show he was fully healed, the man picked up his bed and began to walk.
Here is a story of a man who has been struggling for years. If this would have been in present time this could be a man who struggles with pornography. Our addiction has us confined to our “mat” and we feel that there is no hope in sight. But through Jesus Christ we are able to find the freedom we are looking for.
The other cool part to this story is that it is not over with the healing. I have always wondered why Jesus just did not tell him to get up and walk. He told him to take his mat. My theory (and this is just me talking here) is that Jesus told him to take his mat to remind him of where he came from and what Jesus had done for him. Know that Jesus is always there for you. No matter how long you have been struggling. He is the great physician. Take your struggles to him.
Steve Oh
LoveJesus.LovePeople