RPG Adults
IMPOTENT MAN AT BETHESDA
LORD’S DAY, NOVEMBER 8
John 5:1-15
Psalm 119:65-71
“They that wait upon the Lord
shall renew their strength.”
IMPOTENT MAN AT BETHESDA
How great are the mercy and compassion of Christ! He “saw” (John 5:6) the poor sufferer lying in the crowd. Neglected, overlooked and forgotten in the great multitude, he was observed by the all-seeing eye of Christ. He “knew” (John 5:6) full well, by His divine knowledge, how long he had been “in that case” and pitied him. He spoke to him unexpectedly, with words of gracious sympathy. He healed him at once and without tedious delay, and sent him home rejoicing.
This is just one among many examples of our Lord Jesus Christ’s kindness and compassion. He is full of undeserved, unexpected, abounding love towards man. He “delighteth in mercy” (Mic 7:18). He is far more ready to save than man is to be saved, far more willing to do good than man is to receive it.
We are taught the lesson that recovery from sickness ought to impress upon us. That lesson is contained in the solemn words which our Saviour addressed to the man He had cured: “sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee” (John 5:14).
Every sickness and sorrow is the voice of God speaking to us. Each has its peculiar message. Happy are they who have an eye to see God’s hand and an ear to hear His voice in all that happens to them. Nothing in this world happens by chance.
And as it is with sickness, so it is with recovery. Renewed health should send us back to our post in the world with a deeper hatred of sin, a more thorough watchfulness over our own ways and a more constant purpose of mind to live to God. Far too often the excitement and novelty of returning health tempt us to forget the vows and intentions of the sickroom. There are spiritual dangers attending a recovery! Well would it be for us all after illness to grave these words on our hearts: “Let me sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto me.”
THOUGHT: Am I making the most of God’s kindnesses towards me or am I building up His wrath? (Rom 2:5)
PRAYER: Father, may I hear Thy voice in every of my experiences.