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. (John 5:1-14)
Today's Morsel: Sometimes I don't think that folks understand the repercussion of sin in their life. Many people think that they can dip and dab in sin and it not affect them. But James lets us know otherwise. He said: "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death" (James 1:14-15). You just flirt with sin a little bit before it attaches itself to you. And once it connects to the right part of you, it's going to take affect in your life and can bring you down. The man in today's scripture text was halt for 38 years, and it was because of his sin. Can you image feeling hopeless, rejected, and crawling around for 38 years with no one to help you? Can you image watching others in the same boat as you are with no help? Sin can cripple you and leave you ineffective for the Master's use. Those who are incarcerated don't realize that they are there because of sin. It's not someone else's fault that they are there. It's because of sin. They allowed sin to attach itself to them and now they are captivated by it. And all who are bound by sin are imprisoned by it, and lay crippled until that sin is repented of. Today, if you are one of those who are feeling crippled by sin, a godly heart of repentance can get Jesus' attention and bring about in change in your life. As Paul said, sin shall not have dominion over you. Simply call out to Jesus in repentance of the sin and allow Jesus to make you whole.
Sing: Pass me not oh gentle Savior, hear my humble cry, while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.
I'm calling You Savior! Savior! Hear my humble cry, while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.
I'm calling You Savior! Savior! Hear my humble cry, while on others Thou art calling, do not pass me by.
Thought for Today: Don't ever think that sin will not cripple you.
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