Take Them By The Hand

John 5:6-7 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 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.”

What a helpless state of being. This man suffered for 38 years of his life with no cure, and no one to help him. Those who surrounded him were in the same state of helplessness. Yet, it seems like there were plenty who were well enough to reach the healing waters before him, leaving him, once again, in his pitiful state. We have here another example of how man seeks relief from physical suffering, when the real need is spiritual healing. Although we are not told what this man suffered from, later in this chapter Jesus tells the man in verse 14, “See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.” Jesus' warning to this man seems to indicate that his sickness was the result of sin in his life. Today, we are surrounded by so many who are suffering physically and spiritually, because of sin. We, who have been healed and are on our way to Heaven, have the answer and ultimate cure for the one thing that is destroying this world. Yet, we are like the ones who rushed past this man to seek our own relief, and enjoy the hope we have been given. Today, we have the ability, and opportunity, to reach out to someone who is hurting, who has no one who cares for them and the state of their broken life. We have the answer and the cure for their soul. We possess the one thing that will give them hope and help them to better deal with their physical and emotional suffering. We have salvation in Christ Jesus, and the ability to share the Good News that someone else shared with us. This man waited for years for someone to help him reach the healing waters that would make him physically whole. We have access to the One who will give Living Water and make one spiritually whole, with a promise to one day be made physically whole, when we are finally with Him. Today, rather than pass by another whose life is broken and helpless, who may be quietly suffering, or may even be crying out, because they have no one to help bring them to the Living Water; why not stop and take them by the hand? Why not stop and lead them to the One who will give them the Living Water that will not only heal their soul, but also give them hope and purpose? Take them by the hand and lead them to Jesus.

Today, God extends an invitation to you to accept His free gift of salvation (Romans 6:23). Will you accept it? Anyone who calls on Jesus, by faith, in repentance, confessing your sins, will receive eternal life. Do not put off calling on Him, and receive His free gift of salvation today (Romans 10:13).