God’s Miracle for You

“After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, ‘Do you wish to get well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.’ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day.” John 5:1-9

She was the mother of eight, grandmother to 35, and great grandmother to at least that many more. She had lost her husband relatively early and fought a difficult battle with cancer for almost 20 years. The postman never left her mail in the box. He chose to check on her and avail himself of her sunny disposition. People were always coming and going, bringing peanut brittle, peanut anything and everything. She would laugh with delight. Not allowed these favorite foods, they were passed on to the next visitors who came by. She loved people and people loved her, loved her indomitable spirit. Sound like someone you know?

There is no explicit record of the disposition of the lame man in John 5. But he had received no help in 38 years beside the Bethesda pool. In choosing this man, Jesus demonstrated His deep love and compassion for those who are broken in body and spirit. Jesus not only met the lame man’s physical needs, He instilled hope in a man without hope.

Have you a problem which threatens your hope? Ask God for His perspective on your need. Paul’s thorn in the flesh was not taken from him, but God gave him grace to bear it. Identify God’s miracle for you. His healing for you may be in your body - or in your spirit. Or both. Or, for those for whom you pray. Claim God’s miracle for you today.