do you ever read something and think…”no way!”
i feel like i say that to myself often while reading through the bible.
tonight i was reading john 5…there is a story of a man who was an invalid for 38 years. 38 years is a LONG time, especially to be an invalid. he couldn’t do things on his own. when Jesus meets him, he is by a pool of water that supposedly have healing powers. Jesus asks him if he wants to be healed. the man’s response isn’t a resounding yes but a (so it seems to me) sigh of resignation that he can’t get to the water.
what Jesus doesn’t do is leave him be. what Jesus doesn’t do is put him in the water.
what Jesus DOES do is tell him to pick up his mat and walk.
but the part that blows my mind is that he walks. not because Jesus did a miracle (which is still crazy in itself!) but the fact that he has been an invalid for 38 years. he hasn’t used his legs to walk. they have probably not only atrophied but he wouldn’t have any balance or memory of how to do it if he hasn’t in so long if he ever even walked.
not only did Jesus heal him, but he readied the muscles in the lame man’s legs so that he could walk right away. he didn’t fumble. he didn’t have to take months relearning how to walk or doing squats and hamstring curls. he walked…immediately.
that is MY God. He is the God who heals beyond our comprehension. He is the good healer.
