Scripture Reading: John 5:1-9
Sermon Topic: “Stand Up; Take Your Bed and Walk”

Jesus was in Jerusalem to attend a great Jewish festival. But when walking around, he came to the Sheep Gate where there is a pool of Bethsaida. He saw a man who had been there for 38 eight years. Once in a while, an angel would stir the water and any invalid who went into the water first would be healed of their infirmities. All that he needed was someone to push him into the water. But among those who came to worship, none had the time except Jesus. Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to be made well?” This question is puzzling because it seemed obvious that the man wanted to be healed. But Jesus saw several things that are wrong with people who have suffered for so long. Oftentimes they lose hope for healing and stop trying. Second, they get used to begging and receiving pity offerings. Third, they become comfortable with their state and expect other people to carry their burdens. It is for this reason that Jesus did not offer any help to this man except to order him “Stand up! Take your mat and walk.” Nowhere do we read that Jesus aided the man to stand up, nor did Jesus offer to carry his mat.

We learn from this healing story that sometimes we can be healed if we can strive to stand up (on our own feet) and carry our own mats. We should not expect that someone will push us into the pool of healing. This story suggests that there are some prayers God may not answer because we have the ability to stand up. Second, we have the energy to carry our own mats. What we only need to do is to walk. The moral of this story applies to the sick. There are so many diseases that will not go away by prayer alone unless we stand up and carry our beds and walk. Diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, and so on. The moral of this story also applies to the oppressed. Unless the oppressed liberate themselves from operation by standing up on their own feet and liberate themselves, they will be by the pool of Bethsaida for 38 years and counting. Do you want to be made whole? Then stand up, take your mad and walk