The lame man being healed at the pool is a story that has always bothered me. Ever since I was a little boy I remember how troubled I was that it took him 38 years to be healed. For 38 years no one helped this man get into the “healing pool” and it took Jesus to come along to finally heal him. It wasn’t until recently that I realized that this man’s life was put into place to ultimately glorify Jesus. He was asked by God, unknowingly I’m sure, to live out his life for the sole purpose of helping to shine a light on the Messiah. I don’t know about you, but I can’t stand suffering for more that 5 minutes, much less 38 years. I was reflecting with someone today about how easy it is to be an American. We have everything at our fingertips and when we suffer just a little it seems like the whole world is coming down on us. We must accept the life He has given us and know that all circumstances are for His purpose and not ours. I think it is also important to remember that our lives, whether in prosperity or in suffering, is put in place for the sole purpose of glorifying God.
2012 Day 18 – John 5
18 Wednesday Jan 2012
Posted in Daily Reading
Daily Devotion 
Jesus speaks so much truth in the later part of this chapter. First, I love this passage,””But I have a greater testimony than John’s because of the works that the Father has given Me to accomplish. These very works I am doing testify about Me that the Father has sent Me. The Father who sent Me has Himself testified about Me. You have not heard His voice at any time, and you haven’t seen His form. You don’t have His word living in you, because you don’t believe the One He sent. You pore over the Scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them, yet they testify about Me. And you are not willing to come to Me so that you may have life. (John 5:36-40 HCSB)”. The people Jesus was speaking to were so blind to who He was. I love “you pore over the scriptures because you think you have eternal life in them…and you are not willing to come to me.”. They were so caught up in rules and laws that they missed the fulfillment of the scriptures.
The other passage I loved follows right after that and it’s simple but powerful, “”I do not accept glory from men, (John 5:41 HCSB). Jesus wasn’t concerned about what people thought or said here. He was focused on 3 things while He was here on earth. He came to die for our eternal life, He came to give us an example of how to live and He came to train His disciples to carry on the work He started.
Wow, Brian! The last thing you wrote about the 3 things Jesus focused on are a great reminder of what we should focus on when we study and apply what we read. Good stuff!
Wow, I absolutely love vs. 39-40, “You have your heads in your Bibles constantly because you think you’ll find eternal life there. But you miss the forest for the trees. These Scriptures are all about me! And here I am, standing right before you, and you aren’t willing to receive from me the life you say you want.” It’s funny, the speaker at my church last Sunday said the exact same thing. There are times we get so busy with reading the Word, we can forget to actually listen to Jesus speak directly to us. It’s a spiritual muscle that needs to be exercised- listening to God doesn’t come easily. But because He says, “My sheep know my voice,” I’m inclined to think you can get good at it. This is the second time I’ve heard this message this week, I wonder if God’s trying to tell me something?! Unfortunately, it’s true, I don’t give Him room to speak directly to me. I wonder what things He’ll say! I think I’ll stop for a moment and try listening. 🙂
My thoughts exactly, Cheryl.