03/23/2025
https://www.facebook.com/share/15Wjrt3YZB/
The Question We Avoid
Scripture of the Day:
"When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, ‘Would you like to get well?’" – John 5:6 (NLT)
Reflection
For thirty-eight years, the paralytic at Bethesda lay by the pool, waiting for a miracle. When Jesus approached him and asked, "Would you like to get well?", that would seem like the perfect opportunity for the man to cry out, "Yes! Please! Heal me, Lord!" right? But instead, he responded with excuses.
"I can’t, sir," the sick man said, "for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me." – John 5:7 (NLT)
Rather than communicating his desire to be healed, like most, he focused on his limitations, on what he lacked rather than what Jesus was offering. Instead of embracing grace, he listed all of the reasons why restoration for him seemed impossible.
This man wasn’t just physically paralyzed, he was spiritually stuck! Can you imagine growing so accustomed to disappointment and failure that you find yourself trapped in a mindset of helplessness, until finely your struggles became your identity? This man didn’t just believe he was paralyzed, he believed he would always be paralyzed.
His response to Jesus reveals a deep struggle with self-worth and unbelief that far too many of God’s children struggle with. And yet, the most remarkable part of this story, is that Jesus healed him anyway! Let that sink in! Jesus healed him anyway!
Jesus didn’t require the man’s faith to be perfect. Nor He did He demand that he fully understand grace before experiencing it. And ca I tell you, He doesn’t expect it of you ether. In His mercy and power, Jesus acted despite the man’s doubts. This is grace in its purest form, unearned, undeserved, and freely given.
Truth be told, many of us do the exact same thing this guy did. Instead of accepting Jesus’ grace, we tell Him why we’re not worthy. We convince ourselves that we’re too broken, too sinful, or too far gone. But Jesus doesn’t ask us to prove ourselves, He simply asks if we want to be made whole.
Practical Application
Identify areas in your life where you might be resisting God’s grace. Are there struggles, sins, or past wounds that make you feel unworthy of healing? Spend time reflecting on this and ask Jesus to replace your doubts with faith in His ability to restore you.
Prayer
Jesus, I see myself in this man. Too often, I let my struggles define me and hold me back from embracing the grace You freely give. Help me to stop making excuses and instead say "yes" to Your healing power. Thank You for loving me even when I struggle to believe in myself. In Your name, Amen.
I want to take a moment to thank each of you who commented and shared last week’s devotion! Your support means so much. Today, I’m posting the next devotion, and I need your continued help to reach as many people as possible by December 2025.
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