God's Divine Intervention and Healing
Friend, the Bible tells us that Jesus himself approached a sick man with the intention and purpose of healing him. There were countless of other sick individuals Jesus could have approached, but he chose to approach this particular man whom we don’t know much about other that he was sick.
“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids-blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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?” 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.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.”
Why did Jesus choose to heal him and not the rest?
The truth is, we don’t know. But the Bible does tell us in verse 6 that Jesus knew this man had been sick for a long time. How did Jesus know that? Well, although Jesus was human, he was also God himself in human form. God is sovereign, meaning there is nothing that he is unaware of. God knows everything and He sees everything-past, present, and future. Nothing escapes him.In this passage of scripture, the Bible also tells us the length of time this man was sick. He was sick for 38 years! I don’t know about you, but 38 years is a very long time. The Bible isn’t clear on the exact type of infirmity this man had, but we know this man was crippled, physically impaired or disabled.
Can you imagine living life with a sickness or debilitating disease for 38 years?
I honestly don’t even want to imagine. Being sick is not fun. The repercussions of illness are not pleasing by any means. Although we may not be sick with a debilitating disease that needs healing, we are all spiritually sick. Romans 3:23 NIV tells us, we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Our sin is our eternal debilitating disease.However, in Romans 3:24, the Apostle Paul also states we are justified by God’s grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Through Christ alone we are set free from the eternal repercussions of our sin.
If Jesus knew this man had been sick for 38 years, why did he choose to extend his healing power later rather than sooner? The answer is simple, to glorify himself.In my Bible’s commentary for the verse found in John 5:5 NIV, the author states that many people had witnessed the sickness of this man for almost four decades, and therefore when Jesus cured him, everyone knew the genuineness of the healing.
Related Post: When the Enemy Says One Thing; But God Declares Victory!
When someone with an incurable disease receives healing, almost everyone’s assumption for the cause of miraculous healing is God. Unfortunately, only then will some people acknowledge the sovereignty and powerful authority of God.
God knows exactly when to make himself known to us so he alone can get all the credit and not humanity.
This passage of scripture gives us insight to God’s sovereignty over humanity. When Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be healed, the man did not shout yes with great anticipation.Instead he used the excuse of not being able to get into the pool, which he believed had the power to heal him. Despite the man’s reasons for not being healed, God’s gift of grace through his son Jesus provided healing for this man. But most importantly, the name of Jesus was glorified.
God's healing grace is more than enough.
Likewise, when we are hopeless in our sin and doomed for eternal suffering, God freely gives us his gift of healing grace through his son Jesus. It is through Christ alone we are cured from our sin. The sick man did not have a choice to accept or deny Christ’s gift of healing.Immediately after Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk” the man was healed and he took up his bed and walked. God’s words are powerful and carry so much authority. Whatever God commands happens, for he spoke the earth into existence (Psalm 33:9 NIV).Even if the sick man did not want healing, it was in God’s plan for him to be healed. There is absolutely nothing we can do to receive God’s gift of grace. His grace is a gift! Meaning we simply receive it because he gives it to us at no cost. The cost of our sins were paid through Christ alone on Calvary.
God’s gift of grace through his son Jesus was his divine intervention for our eternal punishment.
Today I want to encourage you to simply thank God for his gift of grace and healing in your life. We are so undeserving of anything he has to offer. Thank him for all he is. Give him your praise and worship today and every day. Give praise because he is faithful, he is just and he is good. Praise because he is holy, he is righteous, and he is sovereign.God sits on the throne, and no matter what we say or do, God’s power and authority will always rule over us. His divine intervention in your life will happen at the command of his voice.Blessings to you!