Living 4 Him

Then Jesus spoke to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” John 5: 8

Verbs.  We can’t get through a single moment without them.  These words make action possible.  Some verbs are loud and obnoxious: shout, scream, holler, howl.  Other verbs are so quiet we sometimes miss them: pray, remember, decide, notice. 

Jesus spoke many verbs to keep in our pockets; believe, follow, come, listen, love.  At times of healing, Jesus often gave actions for the people to follow.  Last week, we heard him tell the ten men with leprosy to go show themselves to the priest. (Luke 17:14)

In John 5, a man lies beside the pool of Bethesda unable to walk for 38 years.  He waits day after day for the water to be stirred by angels. When Jesus sees him, he asks, “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). With his positive response, Jesus says “Get up!  Pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:8) And the man stands up, able to walk, completely healed.

John 9 gives us the story of a man blind from birth, sitting by the side of the road.  Jesus’ disciples question him about the man, then Jesus mixes his saliva with mud, puts it over the man’s eyes and asks him to “go and wash in the pool of Siloam.” (John 9:7) When the man returns he can see.

What was the reason for Jesus to give these commands to those he healed? Was it a part of the healing process? Or a test to see if how well they listened?

In exploring the reason for Jesus’ instructions, a bigger picture emerges if we consider that Jesus knew exactly what those people needed to do.  He was acutely aware of their needs and could advise the best next steps to take. 

With this perspective, messages arise to encourage our own actions. First, as our Lord and Savior, through the power of the Holy Spirit, Jesus knows what we need to do in every moment. Even simple tasks are not out of his view. What comfort this brings as we daily move in and out of activity! With complete knowledge of our every move, God guides us, giving meaning to what sometimes seem meaningless.

Second, Jesus wants us to be active, advancing and contributing to the building of God’s kingdom. God not only has work to do in us, but he has work to do through us.  Our own actions might be the only way someone else will see God.  If we open ourselves to God’s actions, we’ll find our actions becoming holy, serving God’s purposes for good.  

When these two messages intersect with our daily lives, a spiritual power flourishes, generating the heart of God’s kingdom.  Active workers working WITH God. Some of God’s favorite actions are loving, forgiving, helping, seeking, singing, hoping, persevering.  And even when we find ourselves cleaning, driving, typing, walking, wondering, we hold God’s attention.  We are God’s creation and our every move brings him joy.

Sometimes we find ourselves stuck.  A situation stuns us and we don’t know what action to take.  Or too many activities clutter our days and we can’t decide which one to do first.  That’s the time to take these actions:

Turn to God.

Rest in God’s presence.

Soak in God’s love.

Remember God’s promises.

Pray for peace and direction. 

God has created us for action, but he prefers that we act with him so his power can work to help, not hurt.  Healing for us and healing for others can happen when we let God take the helm and make every action an action of purpose. 

Reaching in (allowing God’s word to work in our souls):  Read the healing stories referenced today; John 5: 1-9 and John 9: 1-12.  Note how Jesus’ involvement makes each moment holy.

Reaching out (taking God’s word into the world):  One action we should take each day is to pray, truly connecting with God’s heart of love.  Start with this prayer:  Holy God, I know you have given me hands, eyes, feet and a mind to work for you.  Show me how to use my actions to bring your message of love to the world.  Show me the most important actions I need to perform today.  Thank you for being with me in every move I make. In the precious name of Jesus, your Son, Amen.