“Sir,” the sick man answered, “I don’t have a man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I’m coming, someone goes down ahead of me.” “Get up,” Jesus told him, “pick up your mat and walk!” Instantly the man got well, picked up his mat, and started to walk. John 5:7-9a HCSB
Popular thoughts were that an angel would periodically come and cause the water to move or have ripples. The first person into the pool of water would then be healed. The man in today’s Scripture had been by the pool for years hoping for his chance to get into the water first and to be healed. Evidently, he was crippled. We do not know his exact medical condition but he could not walk and needed someone to help him get into the pool of water. He may have crawled or scooted along the ground trying to get into the water many, many times but had never been able to receive the healing he so desperately desired.
Jesus did not say, “I will help you into the pool of water” or “You just need to move faster”. Instead He said, “Get up”. It was a command. The man could have argued with Him that he could not get up or walk. Instead, he did not hesitate but instantly believed and was healed. He picked up his mat and began to walk. Even though the man had been crippled for 38 years, God had a plan for him and used his disability to bring glory and honor to Jesus.
Challenge: You may have a sickness or a disability and wonder how God could possibly use you. Know that God is still in the miracle business and even when you think things are hopeless and you feel trapped, God can take your situation and bring good out of it. God has a plan for you and can use your weaknesses to accomplish great things. Trust Him and see how He uses you to minister to the lives of those around you.