God’s Compassion

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew the he had already been there a long time, he said to him, Do you want to be healed?
John 5:6

Healed by Jesus

While in Jerusalem, Jesus walked by a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. Every day he would sit next to the Pool of Bethesda waiting for someone to pick him up and place him into the pool when it began to stir. Foolishly, there was a well known superstition that supposedly an angel would stir the water and the first person to step into the pool would be healed of their disease. For 38 years this man anticipated the day that he would be healed. On this certain day Jesus walked up to him and asked if he wanted to be healed. Instead of a yes or no answer the man gave an excuse that no one would help him into the water. Jesus then told him to get up and pack up his bed and walk. Instantly the man was healed and he walked away.

This miracle was the result of God’s great compassion. The first thing to notice is the fact that this man could not save himself. He had good intentions but he couldn’t do it on his own. He needed help and he needed a Savior. Second, this man was chosen by Jesus. In John 15:16 Jesus says, “You did not choose me, but I chose you…” Thirdly, Jesus gave him new life. For 38 years this man was stuck in unfavorable circumstances until Jesus came into his life and gave him hope.

Are you thankful for God’s compassion and saving grace in your life?

Prayer

Pray and thank God for sending His Son, Jesus, into this world to save you for giving you eternal life and hope.

He Who Humbles Himself

January 31, 2018 Pastor Stephen Dedman Encouragement, Faith

He Who Humbles Himself

For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
‭‭Luke‬ ‭14:11‬

A Lesson of Humility

In Luke 14:1-6 Jesus was invited to a prestigious dinner with the religious leaders. He was the honored guest but only for evil intentions. There was also another man invited that day who had dropsy (known as edema). The lawyers and Pharisees were trying to trap Jesus into breaking a law on the Sabbath but their plan backfired. Jesus asked them if it was lawful to heal on the Sabbath but they remained silent. Jesus then healed the man and sent him away. The lawyers and Pharisees were speechless.

The miracle of healing should have been enough to demonstrate that Jesus was God but Jesus wanted to teach them a valuable lesson concerning the Kingdom of God. He used His position of honor to honor God. The Pharisees used their position of honor to elevate themselves. Every person who was honored would then honor someone else, as this was their custom. It was all about being recognized.

Jesus used this opportunity to share another parable. He said, “Instead of placing yourself at the end of the table where the most distinguished guest should sit, move further down the table. In doing so you will save yourself from shame when the host comes to you and asks you to move because that seat was reserved. Sit further away and let the host move you to the position of honor. Then you will be honored by all.”

God does not look lightly upon prideful people. James 4:6 says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Every Christian needs to learn the important principle of humility. Let’s learn from the Master and use our God given positions to praise Him and not ourselves.

Prayer

Ask the Lord to make you more aware of your sin and position yourself at the foot of the cross of Jesus Christ.