Read John 5:1-9
There is hope for a new opportunity.
John chapter 5 presents a fascinating encounter that Jesus had with a paralyzed man. This man had essentially lost all hope of ever being well. It was believed by many that the pool of Bethesda offered healing and restoration to the affirmed. Some were convinced that an angel stirred the water, and whoever went in first received healing. Others believed that the pool was connected to a spring, and that is what helped alleviate pain and aches.
We read that there were a multitude of invalids who existed daily in this place of suspended hope. Each person had their attention fixed on the stirring of the pool waters. Among the people, was a man who had been an invalid for a period of 38 years. We don’t know if this condition was brought on by circumstances beyond his control, or if this man had created his infirmities in response to reckless living (or perhaps even a combination of both). But, whatever the cause, he found himself lying on a bed, looking to a place of hope that never seemed to deliver in providing the healing that he desired.
Do you desire a new opportunity?
When Jesus approached the man, He asked him a question that, on the surface, sounded rather ridiculous. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to be healed?” It’s interesting that the man never answered this question. Instead he offered explanations due to his condition that prevented him from getting to the water as it was stirred. It’s also interesting that Jesus didn’t offer this man words of sympathy or encouragement. He presented the man with a firm directive to “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” (v.8). Then in verse 9, “at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.”
So, perhaps you find yourself in a place in which you are struggling to find hope and healing? Are there things that contribute to you being captured and bound by the circumstances of your life? And perhaps, similar to the man in John Chapter 5, these hardships made you a victim of the choices and actions of others. Maybe even elements of struggle and neglect that find their origin in your personal decisions and actions? Perhaps a combination of both? Whatever the case, Jesus never views us as being hopeless. Rather, he comes to us with compassion, and he directs us to place our confidence in him.
Don’t let mental and emotional hardships paralyze you from moving forward in your new opportunity.
There is no doubt that, for many people, the journey to obesity and the journey through weight loss is complicated. Maybe mental and emotional hardships gave way to the utilization of food as a means of comfort? This struggle is enormous. It can leave people battling to find hope and healing. Lastly, there is a very important question that was asked by Jesus in the text. It is one that confronts all of us at some point in our lives. It is the question, “Do you want to be healed?” This response must be met with a personal soul- searching inquiry about whether you really want to be healed. In other words, in taking the first step (and subsequent steps) toward healing and restoration, are you figuratively prepared to “Get up, take up your bed, and walk?” The invitation has been offered, and the response is up to you.
Questions:
Do you find yourself looking for “mystical solutions”, rather than taking the first step, or subsequent steps of hard work?
Are you mistakenly placing your hope in anything but Jesus?
What does the word hope mean to you? Do you believe there is hope for you? Have you given up?
Our hope is Jesus. He will empower us to “get up” and start fresh each day, as we ask him to help us. Will you ask for His help? Will you trust Him to be with you each moment to minister strength and peace, in spite of your circumstances?
In conclusion, you may have tried and failed many times. You must be willing to continue to put forth every attempt at changing, time and time again.
Song: