Friday, September 10, 2010

Bethesda

After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. (John 5:1-8 KJV)

And the man did so -- causing problems with those who hated Him.

And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. (John 5:9-11 KJV)

When Christ speaks, do we do as He says? Luke tells us that Peter and John not only did so, but explained to the authorities that they would continue to do so even when men told them not to:

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard. (Acts 4:19-20)

Do we believe we should? Do we follow through with that belief?

Now, for another fascinating point:

And he that was healed wist not who it was (John 5:13 KJV)

The healed man did not know who healed him. Did not believe on Jesus. Did not understand this was the Christ. No understanding that he was facing a man who could offer him salvation. No thought of Messiah, he simply followed instructions.
Can we?

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