A Special Appointment
SOMEBODY HELP!
John 5:1-23 shares the story of “a man with a certain infirmity”. For 38 years, he yearned for his turn to experience the same miracle he witnessed happening for others. Those deemed “impotent” , were made whole in the same location he eagerly occupied. The scripture says, when the angel of the LORD stirred up the water, whoever stepped in first was made whole of whatever ailments they had.
The man believed that if he could just make it into the pool of Bethesda, within the right time frame, his life and conditions would change forever. He watched others step over him as he tried to make his way in. The man waited years, hoping someone would help him get to the place he couldn’t reach on his own.
THE PROBLEM
John 5:5 says, the man had a “certain infirmity”. During my study, I learned that the word infirmity in context is the Greek word “en”. It means, “in, on, at, by, with, and among”. It denotes a “(fixed) position (in place, time, or state)”. Strong’s Concordance further notes that “en” also “expresses the idea of being in a particular state or condition, or being in association or union with someone or something”. The word “en” is also used to specify “means or instrumentality”.
After breaking down meanings and context, I understood that “infirmity”could cover a vast range of situations. We don’t know the details of the man’s case. The truth is, it’s irrelevant. All we know is that God saw him and decided he suffered long enough.
UNCONVENTIONALLY HEALED
“SURPRISE, SURPRISE…”
“It’s Time To Rise…”.
Jesus met an ignored man’s suffering with compassion, empathy and the solution. The man had no idea that his healing wouldn’t come the way he witnessed others receive theirs. He had a divine appointment, for God’s glory, on the day men rested. When Jesus saw the man, he asked,“will you be made whole?” Instead of answering yes or no, man shared the circumstances that he believed prevented him.
A PEAK BENEATH THE SURFACE
Causes, Choices & Cures.
We learn later in John 5:14, Jesus told the man he just healed, “…Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” This tidbit alerts us to the potential cause of the man’s problem. Though the effects of his suffering were evident, the infirmity and sin were unspecified. A mistake caused his pain but, God had mercy on him. Jesus restored and corrected him with love, truth, and grace. This story affirms for us that mistakes don’t disqualify us from being seen and healed by God.
POSSIBILITIES FOR ENDURING AVOIDABLE PAIN
When our choices jack up progress in life.
Not all troubles, oppression, challenges, trials, or ailments are a result of sin. However, when sin is the root cause of suffering, healing is still possible. The LORD strongly advised the healed man, and us through his story, not return to bondage after God makes us whole. Turning back to anything that caused bondage would lead to our own detriment.
Galatians 5:13 reminds us that we’re “…called unto liberty, only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.” Hebrews 12:5-6 comforts us with the knowledge that God corrects those he loves.
UNWAVERING LOVE
Jesus knew the man with the infirmity’s suffering, grief and disappointment and restored complete health in mind, body and spirit. The same opportunity is available to anyone stuck in a particular circumstance or condition. Jesus extended new life, sound belief and morality to a person that felt invisible and hopeless. The same God that sent forth his word that healed others, sends the same word to heal us.
ENTANGLEMENTS
I sensed the Holy Spirit reminding me of how different forms of suffering can manifest through misaligned choices. “Soul ties”, ungodly influences, addictions, idolatry, immorality or other harmful coping mechanisms are gateways to afflictions. Resistance to God’s word and guidance also serves as a door to the soul’s troubles. Though we may experience consequences for our actions, God, even in our mistakes, extends the opportunity to be made whole.
A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT
No one has lived a perfect life. Sometimes, we can make decisions that opens doors to forces, relationships, or troubles that we never anticipated being on the other side of that choice. Sometimes our unhealed pain clouds discernment, and leads us down the wrong path. Sometimes ignoring that still small voice or intuitive, gut feeling, brought experiences we wished we could erase.
I can testify that I slipped some mess in brokenness. Insecurities and a lack of understanding drove me to seasons of coping and running that hindered progress in life for years. Some battles took ages to overcome. The same Jesus that met the man at the pool of Bethesda met me in my pain and suffering when I couldn’t help myself. The same God is able to reach for anyone in need.
- God sees you.
- Healing and restoration is available regardless of how long you have suffered.
- Healing looks different for everyone. Our breakthroughs and answers may not come the way we think.
- No mistake disqualifies us from being helped or healed by God.
- God is merciful, kind and very gracious.
SOURCE REFERENCES
John 8:34-36, John 5:1-23, Galatians 5:13, Matthew 12:43-45, Hebrews 12:5-6, Will/Wilt “theló” #2309 , Whole “hugiés” #5199, Impotent astheneó #770 , Infirmity “En” #1722, Troubled #5015 “Tarassó”, Sin #264 “Hamartanó”, Biblegateway.com, Biblehub.com Strong’s Concordance.
New to the faith?
LISTEN TO AN AUDIO OF THIS POST
Glow to victory 
Leave a comment