S) "6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, 'Do you wish to get well?' 7 The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.' 8 Jesus *said to him, 'Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.' 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk."
John 5:6-9 (NASB)
O) This is such an interesting story to me. Here was this pool, and apparently an angel would stir up the water, and the first person into the pool when the waters stirred, would be healed. This man, bedridden on a pallet, was unable to get himself into the pool. We don't know how long he waited at the pool, hoping someone would put him in, but we know his condition was long upon him. Jesus, though, does not offer to put him in when the waters stir, and He doesn't stir the waters to have the man put into them (by His disciples or anyone else). Instead, Jesus simply heals him directly.
A) Recently, I was in a small group and a man was encouraging us to do good works (per Ephesians 2:10). In the middle of it, he posed a bit of a hypothetical question, asking if we didn't do the work God had prepared for us, would it still get done? That's something that is so interesting about the verses above. Many people would have had the opportunity to lift this man into the pool. It would have been the loving, selfless thing to do. Without question, loving this man in that way, would have been fulfilling God's will for us to love our neighbors. However, no one had ever done it. And so, eventually Jesus came and healed the man. To be sure, I do not think I can ever get away with the attitude that I can ignore the work God has called me to do. However, there is still a humbling reality that God's grace is big enough for my failures. I suppose there may still be things that do not get done if God's people do not do them. I'm not one to think that God's will is always done. However, it also seems like arrogance or assuming too much responsibility, to think that my inaction would ever stop God's will from happening, if He has purposed for something to happen. In His sovereignty and ultimate power, He can and will do whatever pleases Him. God did not prepare work for me to do because He needed my help, but because He has invited me to join in His kingdom work. That is a humbling blessing to me, and that inspires me to join Him, knowing that He lovingly desires my help in His work. However, without a doubt, the verses above remind me that He could always do it Himself, even if He won't always do it Himself. After all, Jesus didn't appear to heal everyone at that pool that day.
P) Father, You are all powerful, all knowing, and sovereign. You can, and will, do whatever You want. You are holy and perfect in all Your ways. Thank You for healing this man who was beside this pool. Thank You for reminding me that I am not needed to accomplish Your will, but that I am desired to accomplish Your will, with You. That is such a revelation of Your love for me, Father God. Let me respond with a gladness to go along with my willingness to serve. I want to accomplish Your will, I want to fulfill the work that You have prepared beforehand for me to do. Open my eyes and ears, that I may be sensitive to the lead of the Holy Spirit, to act in obedience and faith. I do not want You to have to intervene because of my disobedience, laziness, or fear. However, I thank You for the grace that if I do fail, You are big enough to cover that sin and failure. Let Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Let Your will be done through me, for Your kingdom, and for me. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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