John 5:8-11 KJV
Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and
walk.
And immediately the man was made whole, and took
up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured,
It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed.
He answered them, He that made me whole, the
same said unto me, Take up thy bed, and walk.
That Christ
healed the man on the Sabbath day seems to me to be an obvious thing. When
better for God to do for us a wonderful act of grace than on that day He has set
aside for Himself?
- That we would meet
with Him
- That meeting we would
communicate our needs to Him
- That presenting out
needs He would grant our request
All of that
seems perfectly obvious to me
But that Christ
would then instruct the man to do something that would immediately set him at
odds with His world, now there is something striking.
I find that it
is the case more often than not that an early test a new believer will
experience is that test that puts him at odds with his immediate surroundings.
- It might be a friend
who wants him to do as he always had done
- It might be a family
member who expects a visit on Sunday rather than to understand the desire
to worship in church
- It could be a habit
that must be changed right away
Whatever it is,
it is something that stands out, that is open, that everyone who knows the
person will notice.
God seldom
allows His gracious benefits to be received covertly.
I notice too
that the first part of this test the man was forced apparently to face alone. I
do not believe He was alone as God never forsakes His own. But there are times of
testing when we surely feel alone. Such testing proves our dedication and
steadfastness. It is no time to panic or flee from our faith as believers; it
is time to stand for Christ knowing that soon enough He will send aide to
strengthen and sustain us.
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