Jesus said to the paralyzed man,
"Rise, take up your bed, and walk."
John 5:8
He was paralyzed and powerless...
"Rise, take up your bed, and walk."
John 5:8
He was paralyzed and powerless...
For thirty-eight long years, this lonely, crippled soul lay sprawled on the ground, helpless. He was hoping that one day a kind soul would come by to pick him up and put him into the water, so he could be healed.
This happened in the City of Jerusalem, where a nearby a sheep market was located. It must've been a smelly place with lots of flies. With hundreds of animals in pens awaiting buyers, one could only imagine the daily odor of dung which filled the air.
Here too was a pool that locals believed had healing powers. And while it may have been only superstition, or maybe it was actually true, many believed that whenever an angel would suddenly show up and stir the water, that whoever got in first would be healed.
This paralyzed man, however, had no chance. How would he get into the water first? Yet he lied on the ground day after day hoping for a miracle. Almost forty years later, he was still waiting when Jesus just happened to show up.
Seeing the man in this pitiful condition, Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" I could envision the Lord smiling as he asked the question. "Do you want to get well?" It's like asking a man who was lost in the desert and dying of thirst if he wanted a drink of water.
Immediately, Jesus said to him, "Rise, pick up your bed, and walk." Talk about speaking with authority. One quick sentence and the man was instantly healed. He began to walk, and he carried his bedding, too (see short video of this story).
Strange. You'd think he would've gotten rid of it. No more need for a mat. No more sleeping on the ground. No more having to smell sheep dung or swat flies. The once paralyzed man was free to go on with his life.
This is what I taught on, in last night's Bible study class in the chapel. We looked at the story of the paralyzed man who, by human standards, seemed to have no hope. That is, until Jesus showed up.
I told the men that, spiritually, we were in the same condition. We were paralyzed in that we were unable to fix ourselves and repair our broken lives. We had no one to help us. Stuck in prison, to whom could we turn? Where was the hope for a better life?
The guys understood. I knew they would. "We were helpless, too." they said. "Our criminal records made us outlaws and outcasts in the eyes of society," they agreed. But then came Jesus. He forgave our sins and cleansed us from our guilt and shame. Thanks to Jesus, each one of us is now living a new life of peace with God, and hope.
The study went well. These are a bunch of good men who have truly repented of their sins and are seeking to follow the ways of Christ. I am happy to be among them.
D.B.
This happened in the City of Jerusalem, where a nearby a sheep market was located. It must've been a smelly place with lots of flies. With hundreds of animals in pens awaiting buyers, one could only imagine the daily odor of dung which filled the air.
Here too was a pool that locals believed had healing powers. And while it may have been only superstition, or maybe it was actually true, many believed that whenever an angel would suddenly show up and stir the water, that whoever got in first would be healed.
This paralyzed man, however, had no chance. How would he get into the water first? Yet he lied on the ground day after day hoping for a miracle. Almost forty years later, he was still waiting when Jesus just happened to show up.
Seeing the man in this pitiful condition, Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" I could envision the Lord smiling as he asked the question. "Do you want to get well?" It's like asking a man who was lost in the desert and dying of thirst if he wanted a drink of water.
Immediately, Jesus said to him, "Rise, pick up your bed, and walk." Talk about speaking with authority. One quick sentence and the man was instantly healed. He began to walk, and he carried his bedding, too (see short video of this story).
Strange. You'd think he would've gotten rid of it. No more need for a mat. No more sleeping on the ground. No more having to smell sheep dung or swat flies. The once paralyzed man was free to go on with his life.
This is what I taught on, in last night's Bible study class in the chapel. We looked at the story of the paralyzed man who, by human standards, seemed to have no hope. That is, until Jesus showed up.
I told the men that, spiritually, we were in the same condition. We were paralyzed in that we were unable to fix ourselves and repair our broken lives. We had no one to help us. Stuck in prison, to whom could we turn? Where was the hope for a better life?
The guys understood. I knew they would. "We were helpless, too." they said. "Our criminal records made us outlaws and outcasts in the eyes of society," they agreed. But then came Jesus. He forgave our sins and cleansed us from our guilt and shame. Thanks to Jesus, each one of us is now living a new life of peace with God, and hope.
The study went well. These are a bunch of good men who have truly repented of their sins and are seeking to follow the ways of Christ. I am happy to be among them.
D.B.
