The many miracles of Jesus each teach us something different. They have unique elements and people, but with the commonality of the power of Jesus being the source. In John 5, we learn of the man at the pool of Bethesda. He lived thirty eight years as an invalid and was seeking healing.
In the past few years of my Bible Journal writing, you may have noted that I have a lot of questions and love the details. This passage…WOW…so many questions. How did he get there. Who told him about the healing pools? Did he ever ask someone to help him get in? Or did he just assume no one would? What was he doing while he was waiting? Why did he stand out to Jesus? How long had he been waiting? What was going through his mind when Jesus said:
Rise, take up your bed, and walk.
It seems as if he had complete faith that the water could heal him if he could just get in. And when Jesus spoke these words to him, there is no indication of hesitation. He got up, took his mat, and walked. He didn’t even stay and chit chat or get Jesus’ name. He walked.
How does this miracle land on you?
Does it give you confidence, that the Lord works in his timing? After thirty-eight years this man is healed. Does it motivate you to keep seeking and striving for healing? Even if you have to wait. Even if you don’t see a way through to the miracle…can you identify with this man who couldn’t see a way to get to the water. Do the pools of Bethesda give you hope – that God’s ways are so much higher than ours? He had a different plan for this man, that didn’t involve getting in the pool. Jesus gave him an action plan with steps and he did it.
Does this miracle challenge you? I’m challenged, and humbled to admit that like this man, I stand before the Lord with a problem, and focus on a singular solution. If he has the power to heal through water contact, couldn’t he also just speak it? I’m also challenged to keep the faith…what am I still praying for – AND BELIEVING – after thirty-eight years? While I still believe God can answer my prayers, do I believe he will?
When I pray for what feels like big requests, do I tack on “your will be done” at the end, out of respect for the wisdom of God? Or do I say that because deep down I’m not sure the prayer will be answered and I don’t want to be disappointed or disappoint others?
While I never doubt the power of God, and I have complete belief that he is still actively performing miracles today, I guess I have to admit that I don’t always believe he will. Not for lack of compassion, but maybe he has a different plan than what I’m praying for. Today’s bible journal has motivated me to dig into the word and explore more on this topic of having a heart of complete belief when praying with requests.
When my Gracie was born, with a surprise diagnosis in the spina bifida family, those first few days, weeks, months, were lots of praying, and lots of sleepless nights. I knew God could heal her. Would he? I knew he could get her through her spinal cord surgery. Would he? When I look back on that time ten years ago, I regret not being “all in” believing he would. I wish I were quicker to dismiss the “what ifs” with her health, and stand firm because I had complete belief that she was going to have a miracle. She was going to make it through. Instead I went through that season waiting for each turn, waiting for the next round of imaging, testing, etc, to get an update. Do you know someone that has such a faith like that? My grandma Rita has a fully believing, all in, faith in God answering her prayers. It’s a beautiful witness and it’s a beautiful way to live!
You know one of the things I really love about God? He gives us more chances. He gives us more opportunities to exercise our faith. To pray and believe. To ask and be all in and ready to receive. In this life, there isn’t a shortage of opportunities to ask and believe in a miracle. I’m going to keep asking. And when my faith starts to waver, I will pray and ask God to grow my faith and help me approach his throne boldly and with a fully believing heart.
