For His Glory

John 5:5-9

One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, "Would you like to get well?" "I can't, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me."Jesus told him, "Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!"Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! 

This story has always amazed me for a couple of reasons.  First, this man had been sick for 38 years.... and Jesus knew that. How many of us have the faith to believe God for the healing of someone who has been sick that long?   Or, have we given up hope a long time ago.  Second, when Jesus asked this man if he wanted to be healed he showed his "victim mentality" by answering with an excuse.  Then JESUS HEALED HIM ANYWAY!  So, much for the teaching that our healing is contingent on us having faith.  This man didn't have faith and Jesus still healed him.   

So what can we learn from this?  God is looking for people filled with Faith and the Power of the Holy Spirit that will ask Him to do what no one else believes can be done.  And, He wants to do miracles not only for the person being healed, but also for His glory.  Jesus went on after this healing to use it as a "teachable moment" to confront the legalism of the Pharisees.  

My prayer today is that we are a people of faith, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, believing God to do miracles that set people free and bring Him Glory.

God Bless,

Pastor Brian