Faith and Hope

“The sick man answered Him, 'Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.'” -John 5:7

God brought this man to my mind so I went to read the story.

Let me briefly share this incredible miracle. There was a pool called Bethesda, and all those who were sick would gather there waiting for the Angel of the Lord to stir the water. The first person to jump in would be healed. The man in the story was a paralytic. He was laying there amongst the rest hoping to be first to jump in and be healed.

The tenacity of this man is admirable. For 38 years, he lay there watching the water stirred and hoping, somehow, he would be first to jump in and be healed.

First thought to cross my mind was the fact he was paralyzed. Second, he had no relative, friend, or stranger there with him to help him up and place him in the water. He faced an impossible situation. It was downright depressing and had been there 38 years. This is maddening.

The logical question to ask would be, “How in the world could be possibly think he could beat those who could walk, run, and jump?” There’s just no way! Even if he had someone to help him, it would still be a hopeless situation. Do you realize there is an extra step involved in order for him to be placed first in the pool? Someone would have to pick him up and then run carrying him. By the time that happened, those able to walk, run, and jump would always beat him. In fact, this was the case already.

Imagine, year after year he saw the water stir, and he watched others running and then rejoicing to see the one healed. I wonder what went through his mind. Yet, he lay there waiting for the next time. How could this be? How could he think he would be able to accomplish it?

As I began to think about this I couldn’t help but think about the faith and hope level this man must of have had. You see, faith says, “I see it!” And Hope says, “It will happen.” He was seeing through the eyes of faith. It didn’t matter he had no help, and he was unable to walk. His physical limitations were of no issue, and he certainly didn’t care about the 38 years he spent just lying there. His hope could only see, “It will happen!”

One glorious day, Jesus came by. That changed everything. Jesus saw the paralytic man, and he knew he had been lying there all alone for 38 years. The man was about to receive his miracle, his healing, that he had been waiting for all those years was just about to be his. Jesus asks one simple question. “Would you like to get well?” The man said, “Sir, I don’t have anyone to pick me up and place me in the pool.” Still not recognizing he was before The One that could change everything. Jesus doesn’t address his issues. He tells him, “Get up, pick up your mat, and go home.” The man was immediately healed. What a story, what a miracle, and what a glorious ending. I want this scene repeated on a big fat screen someday in Heaven.

I want to point some important truths to encourage you tonight. Don’t allow your limitations to dictate your outcome. Don’t allow the fact there’s no one to help you to limit your outcome. Don’t assume if it doesn’t happen on your timetable it’s over and done. Finally, don’t allow the way you think it should be done to limit the power and might of the Almighty God. This man didn’t care he was paralyzed and couldn’t walk, let alone run and jump. He didn’t care he had no one to help him, and he didn’t care about the amount of time it had already taken. Lastly, he didn’t care how he got healed. He didn’t argue with Jesus when Jesus said, “Get up and walk.” He immediately obeyed. This man can put us to shame when we compare our attitude with his.

I want us to think about this. He had two very important things. Faith and Hope. He exhibited the very meaning of the words. Faith says, “I see it!” And Hope says, “It will happen.” You see, Faith and Hope go hand in hand. When both are activated in our lives, together they say, “ I see it happening. It's not done now, but it will be." I can see the possibilities of this thing in my life happening.

I don’t know what you are facing, but are you seeing it? Do you believe it will happen? If a miracle so wonderful and unbelievable could happen to him, the same Christ that told him to get up and pick up his mat and go home is still the same Jesus who speaks miracles into realities for us today.

What an incredible ending to and an unbelievable story of faith and hope. May you experience the same by the end of this year!

Dr. Teresa Allissa Citro

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, You are the Almighty God, and You are the Miracle Worker. Thank You for being God and for being my God. Father, You know my needs and desires before I even tell You. The deepest need and desire that I cannot express You already know. Father, I put my faith in You knowing that You specialize in the Impossible. Remind me always that You are the God who has made provision, the God who has gone before me, and since You are for me, nothing and no one can be against me for You are the One who leads me and has made me victorious. Help me to keep my eyes fixed on You always. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Linda A. Knowles

#TopicArticle #faith #healing #miracle #JesusTheHealer #GreatPhysician