Welcome!
Date: Wednesday, October 06, 2010
Today: Ways to healing!
Passage: John 5:6 NIV
6When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
We are familiar with the story. This man was lying by the pool of Bethesda for 38 long years, expecting a healing!
And now, Jesus is coming and asking him a question that looks really strange: “Do you want to get well?”
This man did not get mad at Jesus; instead, he sincerely answered
He told Jesus the whole story
7“Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
(John 5: 7, NIV)
Time to time, an angel would come and stir up the water
The one who gets in the water first, gets healed
This man was never able to make it. Now Jesus came to his help
This shows the difference between the Old Testament and the New
Jesus made things so easy. Salvation and healing is not hard any more
All that Jesus wanted to know was if this man had gotten too much “used to” the pool so that he did not want to go away from there
He was a friend with so many people there. He knew the food vendor. Someone was providing for his needs all this time. There might have been bathrooms and all facilities very close by. He probably had a room where he could go for changing dress and stuff like that
This is a good picture of something like a hospital
Many people ask God for healing from their situations. What Jesus wants to know is whether they show a real willingness to heal?
A person asking Jesus to heal from high blood pressure and not able to avoid food that increases pressure is telling Jesus that they don’t want to get healed
A person asking God for a better job or promotion, but not faithful in the one he/she has, is telling God that they are not going to be faithful in another!
If we ask God to give us good grades in our education, show to God that we are willing to stay away from too much entertainment and stuff like that
God is looking for faithfulness and willingness. God is willing and faithful in whatever He does
If we are really committed to something, God will bless us in that
If we are committed to give, God is committed to give back
Our attitude determines our altitude
Forgiveness is another quality needed for healing in our lives
If we keep those hurting memories and revenge, healing cannot happen
Many people invite sickness by their unforgiveness
16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. (James 5: 16, NIV)
Forgiveness has to happen in the heart. We should be able to rejoice when someone else gets blessed
If we get jealous to others for their blessing, or if we get happy when someone else gets hurt or loose something, we are blocking our own deliverance
God is a God of principle. He has certain conditions that we must satisfy
They are not hard, if we have really undergone a transformation
But many, so called believers have not been really transformed!
A half-transformed person is comparable to a half-baked cake!
Who wants a half-baked cake?
We are responsible to undergo transformation on a daily basis, becoming like Christ. The word of God and prayer will work, if we allow
Staying better than the other person in faith and spirituality is not what is asked of us. The question is, “where we are in relation to God’s expectation?”
This man by the pool had a tradition of 38 years. But Jesus’ question was, “do you want to get healed?”
Our tradition will not give us the answer. We have to come to Jesus as we are
He has the answer; our willingness, forgiveness and faithfulness is needed
God bless you
BG
Prayer: Lord Jesus, I need healing-spiritual, emotional, physical, financial, ……… Help me to see what is missing from my part and receive the healing. I know you are willing. Thank you. Amen