Friday, November 14, 2008

Scripture: John 5: 1-9
Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number if disabled peopled used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. When 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?” “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.” Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.

Observation:
What need did Jesus see in the man at the Gate?
The man had been an invalid (disabled) for 38 years!
The man had a tough life! Not only was he disabled, but no one else would help him even get into the pool! Other people went as far as to cut him off when he did try to get into the pool!
Did other people’s actions towards the man prevent Jesus from wanting to help him?
Of course not! Jesus wasn’t afraid to help someone that no one else wanted to have anything to do with.

Application:
Jesus chose to help people who were overlooked and considered the lowest of the low—we need to do the same.
Do you know someone who needs help but you’re afraid to help them because of what other people might think?
Listen to God—especially if he’s telling you to help someone who you don’t really want to help.

Prayer:
We cannot have the attitude that we are “too good” to help someone. If you struggle with thinking that some people just aren’t good enough for you to help, get before God and let him make you humble like Jesus.