We as a church have recently been going through a small group study based on Pastor Mark Batterson’s book, The Grave Robber. The book reveals seven steps that can be taken from the seven miracles Jesus performed in the book of John. We are a few weeks into this study, and it has really challenged me in my faith.
The third miracle John writes about is found in John 5. It’s the story of the invalid who has been lame, blind, and paralyzed for 38 years. For the sake of context, imagine that he has been in the same space from the end of 1976 until today. The belief at the pool of Bethesda was that as the waters stirred, if you were able to get into the pool first, you would be healed. I would encourage you to take a moment to read the story in verses 1 – 17 before we continue: Read it here.
Now, let’s apply this man’s situation to ourselves today. I understand you may not be lame physically, but perhaps it’s a relationship that has crippled you in your journey of Faith. You might not be blind, but maybe you need some new vision heading into the New Year. You might not be paralyzed, but the fear of the situation you’re facing has immobilized you.
I believe God has called us to be mobile, agile, and full of faith. God has called us to live in Breakout!
How do we get from where we are now — whether it be emotionally, spiritually, or spiritually crippled or paralyzed — to the place God has for us of freedom and boundless faith? Let’s look at a few questions we can extract from specifics in this story:
#1 – How often do we stay where we are because of the people around us?
John 5:3 – “In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed…”
This invalid was surrounded by multitudes of other like-minded and like-conditioned people. How easy it must have been for him to become trapped in a certain mindset and expectation–that is, until Jesus came along and offered him an alternative viewpoint! Consider this: Perhaps what has kept you where you are is simply WHO you have surrounded yourself with. It’s easy to stay in fear of the economy when you have surrounded yourself with people who are fearful of the economy. It’s easy to stay in bitterness when you’re constantly inundated with bitter people. My encouragement and challenge is to surround yourself with people who are where you want to be. If you want to be healthy, then get around people who are healthy. If you want to have more faith, then surround yourself with people of faith. Now, obviously, this does not mean you ostracize people who don’t meet this criteria for you. You’re going to have contact with people who will try to bring you down; you can’t help that. But you can choose what degree of influence you give those people in your life, and you can choose how much of your life you open up to those people. When choosing who to seek counsel from, who to be vulnerable to, who to make your everyday companions and confidants, choose those who will make you stronger!
#2 – Do you want to be healed?
John 5:6 – “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be healed?’”
Jesus asked the man a simple question, and He asks the same question to you today. While it might seem insignificant, I believe it reveals your motive, your desires, and your faith. So often I have heard that if you do the natural, God will add His super to your natural. I agree with that, and in this story the only natural thing this invalid could do was believe for healing. Sadly, I think more and more people want God to do the super and the natural. Today, God is asking you to believe.
#3 – How often do we let our excuses keep us from healing?
John 5:7 – “The sick man answered him, ‘Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me…’”
Instead of answering the question, the invalid immediately went into excuse mode. His chance for healing was right in front of him, but instead on recognizing the Healer, he focused on his perceived hindrances due to his condition. How often do we say, “Yes, God, but–”? So I ask you today: Will you cut the but? If God is asking if you want to be healed, I don’t think He is wanting your list of excuses as to why it is so hard to be healed. Rather, He is asking to see if your faith is there for a miracle!
#4 – What is your mat?
No doubt that to the invalid, his mat was a source of security — a comfort zone, so to speak — after having been there for 38 years. But his place of security was also a place he could never stay if he wanted to walk healed and free. Your freedom will always require you to move from the mat! What is your mat? What is it in your life that you thought was a security for you, but in reality, it has kept you from healing? Perhaps the breakthrough is found in your breaking out of what is comfortable, safe, and secure. Our excuses are a result of not wanting to give up our comfort zones. But when God asks you to give up something, it’s so that He can fill that space with something better then we could ever imagine. We can never trade down to God! Will you pick up your mat and walk?
I believe your miracle and breakout are right in front of you. I believe it’s time to believe God can, to cut the but, and to watch as God moves in your life!
