Bible In A Year | Read: John 5
5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:5-6)
David Gelernter suffered permanent injuries when he opened an explosive package sent by the man known as the Unabomber. But he has refused to view himself as a helpless victim or to wallow in self-pity. Gelernter writes, “When you encourage a man to see himself as a victim of anything —crime, poverty, bigotry, bad luck—you are piling bricks on his chest.”
The tendency to see oneself as a victim of life’s injustices is widespread today. It’s easy for all of us to feel that our misfortunes have somehow deprived us of the opportunity or the will to become the kind of people we long to be.
The question seems crazy that Jesus asked the man lying by the pool of Bethesda. “Do you want to be made well?” (Jn. 5:6). The man answered with an excuse that was overpowered by what Jesus says “Rise, take up your bed, and walk” (v.8).
Because we live in a broken world, we will suffer injustice. Many things aren’t in our power to change. Obstacles don’t disappear merely by our exercise of faith. So what does Jesus want us to do about circumstances that may paralyze us? Hear His question to the man by the pool, “Do you want to be made well?” Then rely on His strength and act on the things you can change.
Action Steps
Bible: What is God showing me? What am I going to do about it?
Bless: Serve one person through word, action, or gift today.
Join us each morning as some C3ers discuss the daily readings from Made For More. Thursday’s Play The Victim & Stay The Victim.
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