After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath. The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed. He answered them, He that made me whole, the same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk. Then asked they him, What man is that which said unto thee, Take up thy bed, and walk? And he that was healed wist not who it was: for Jesus had conveyed himself away, a multitude being in that place. Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee. The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole. (John 5:1-15)
Today's Morsel: So many people today seem to be laying on the porch at the pool of Bethesda. They are as John said, a great multitude of impotent folk, blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. But just like the man who was on the porch for 38 years when Jesus arrived, Jesus wants you off the porch. Jesus did not ask the man if he wanted to be healed because He knew that his condition was caused by sin. Rather, He asked if he wanted to be made whole. You see, you can't heal sin. You have to kill sin from your life because it is of the devil. This is why the first step to salvation is repentance. Sin must be first addressed and dealt with by you. And then the next step is to be buried in the waters of baptism in the name of Jesus Christ. Healing is only temporary, but wholeness is forever if you allow Jesus to rule and lead your life once He has made you whole.
Sing: He took my sins away! He took my sins away! And He keeps me singing every day. I'm so glad, He took my sins away, He took my sins away.
Thought for Today: It's time to get off the porch!
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