THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

THE HEALED RESPONSIBILITY CLAUSE

Tuesday, May 31, 2016

John [MKJV] 5:2-9 Now there is a pool at the Sheep Gate at Jerusalem, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of those who were sick, of blind, lame, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and troubled the water. Then whoever first stepped in after the troubling of the water was made whole of whatever disease he had. And a certain man was there, who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying, and knowing that he had spent much time, He said to him, Do you desire to be made whole? The infirm man answered Him, Sir, when the water is troubled, I have no one to put me into the pool. But while I am coming, another steps down before me. Jesus says to him, Rise, take up your bed and walk. And immediately the man was made whole and took up his bed and walked. And it was a sabbath on that day.

  It is recorded that Jesus healed, and that we are encouraged to pray for God’s healing.

  Picture this: You are ill, debilitated and largely hindered. You are taken to a facility promising help. As you lay on the examination table a practitioner walks in and asks “Do you want to be healed?” . . .  After you were restrained, calmed down, and the police left ….

  Of course you’d want to be healed, right?!

  Wait, if I’m healed physically, emotionally, from addiction, delivered from criminal activity, self-centeredness, the sick life I live . . . then I am expected to carry and walk; Learn of, accept, and work at what will then be my new load of responsibilities. Much more will be expected of me.

  Do I really want to be healed? is the question.

John 5:10-14 Therefore the Jews said to him who had been healed, It is the sabbath. It is not lawful for you to take up the bed. He answered them, He who made me whole said to me, Take up your bed and walk. Then they asked him, Who is the man who said to you, Take up your bed and walk? And he did not know Him who had cured him, for Jesus had moved away, a crowd being in the place. Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, Behold, you are made whole. Sin no more lest a worse thing come to you.

EBB4

PS: It is also noteworthy that the man did not respond with a straightforward “Yes!” Also note that one new responsibility may be dealing with being badgered by the maddening crowd.