John 5:8-9 – “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.”
Christ told the man to do the impossible. “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” This man could not help himself. Only the divine power of Jesus Christ enabled the man to rise and walk. It was a miracle that Jesus performed at the pool of Bethesda. This miracle is a remarkable illustration of the spiritual condition of every individual. You and I cannot help ourselves spiritually; our salvation depends upon the grace of God alone.
Just as this physically lame man could not help himself we were utterly helpless in our sinful condition to influence our salvation in any way. Those disabled individuals lying at the pool were without strength to help themselves. John describes them as blind, lame and paralyzed. Hence he said, Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up,…..” (v. 7). How sad is the man who knows only man.
This is a vivid and valid description of our human depravity without Jesus Christ. Spiritually, we are sick, blind, lame and withered. Like the lame man we are weak, helpless, powerless as described in Romans 5:6. “While we were still helpless, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.” “Helpless.” Christ came to bring healing to the blind, lame deaf etc; the spiritually paralyzed.
It’s a brand new day! Keep enjoying Kharis!
Pastor Josh Laryea