John 5:1-18 38 YEARS. All around him were hundreds of people in need None of them was able to live a normal life. Living in darkness some called for others to lead them, Shrunken limbs, legs that wouldn’t answer the call Of a brain that could have directed them to the water. Too late – too late again and again – for years And yet he stayed there, hoping for someone – anyone To help him come back to wholeness – and he waited For 38 years!
A simple question from a passing Stranger who knew – He knew the need of the man, and He knew it was the Sabbath. How do you answer the obvious? How do you deal with doubt? What could he say but to express the frustration of years – Years that passed slowly – acquaintances that forgot him Hope that is fading as age adds itself to infirmity – And then this Man comes, this Stranger asks this question, Not the distant sounding question of the curious, but compassion After 38 years!
A plain command that is easy to understand but how to do it – Just do what He said, “Rise, take up thy bed and walk.” Who cares what day it is – this is a miracle, actually the third one. How many Sabbaths have there been in the last 38 years? It doesn’t really matter because this Person is the Lord of the Sabbath. It is unmistakably clear He had authority over disease caused by sin That charge is given, “Sin no more….” – the past is covered Move on into greater and spiritual things for the rest of your life 38 years are gone!
“O God, 38 years ago I can remember much of what I was involved in. Where we lived. We welcomed children into our family. To have spent those 38 years in frustration and impotence seems unbearable. Thanks for making it plain that even after such a long time a new life can begin by the power and grace of God. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”