Good morning friends and Happy Independence Week! Yes, I have extended the holiday because I am still in vacation mode from my short stay-cation last week. It is almost the weekend again, what do you have planned? It is supposed to be a sunny weekend here in Jacksonville, so I am hoping to get in another beach day. Wishing all of you a sunny weekend as well!
Today, I am going to be referencing the story in John 5:1-15. This is when Jesus heals the disabled man by the pool of Bethesda. We are going to call this man Rob to avoid repeating “the man” over and over. *Note: this is a fictitious name that I made up; I did not get it from this passage.
“Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.” John 5:8-9
“Pick up your mat and walk.” I love how Jesus commanded such powerful things in so few words. The authority packed in what He said is what gave the words their power; He didn’t need to command in descriptive paragraphs.
Notice when Jesus healed Rob: Jesus performed the miracle but instructed Rob to do the rest of the work. Sometimes, I can be guilty of expecting and experiencing a miracle..then expecting God to maintain it. God can maintain it, but in what I have read of the Word, He calls us to be people of action. We are his Royal Priesthood, Ambassadors, Overcomers and Followers (1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20, Romans 8:31-39, Ephesians 5:1). These are titles that require both authority and action. Trust, love, teach, share, clothe, heal, feed- these words are what we are called to do. They each require action.
I believe what Jesus was doing was instructing Rob to accept the healing, and live by the standard. He did not want him to leave his mat in that place, because it was time for him to move on. Maybe if Rob would have left his mat in this place of sickness and oppression, he would have migrated back seeking what was comfortable (what he knew to be his normal). It would have probably been easier at times. Change is tough. Thirty-eight years of one life, as difficult as it was, still creates a comfort zone. Jesus knew the temptation of becoming complacent and not moving forward could arise in Rob if he still took ownership of that position among the oppressed. So, He commanded that he pick that mat up and take action! Rob still held the mat, reminding him of where he had been, but he moved ahead with that knowledge. He is the one that took those steps commanded by Jesus. It was Rob’s choice.
Sometimes I think we get so comfortable expecting Jesus for things, we forget that we hold power and favor with the Father as well. Jesus does deserve all of our praise and faith, but we also need to recognize that we are responsible for maintaining the miracle.
I’ve shared before with you that I have struggled on and off with depression for most of my life. Well, about a year ago, I experienced what I refer to as an “episode” where I get very low and hopeless. It feels like a pit with walls impossible to climb. I did not have the strength to get out of that pit, only He did. However, once I initially experienced that miracle of truth, He empowered me to move forward. He gave me the strength, but I had to pick up my mat and walk. Today, it is my responsibility to maintain that miracle. Yes, God can; but where does my faith walk come in if I just sit back and wait for Him to do it all. Walking with Christ requires discipline, and that discipline bares fruit of purpose, healing and victory. I am called to life! It is my responsibility to trust Him and take action steps of faith- reading His Word, filling myself with life giving words, songs and books, seeking Godly counselling and medical attention that I may need. If I would have just experienced that miracle of truth in that moment and went about my life as I had been (gotten back on my figurative mat), what would my life look like today? I know myself and I know what I have done in the past; so, yes, if I sat back down on the mat I would have been assuming my position among the oppressed. But friends, that is not who I am because I belong to Christ! My inheritance is not only heavenly treasure, but also victory over the oppressors of this life on earth. Jesus overcame, and I am His, so I better assume my responsibility and live in that! You are His too, so lets walk this out together.
Thank you Jesus for your healing and guidance. Thank you for your empowering Word that gives us strength to pick up our mats and walk! My prayer for you and me today is that we continue trusting and relying on our heavenly Father and take on the responsibility of maintaining our miracles.
Morning Joy 