July 13, 2020 -- John 5:3-6 -- Just One

In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”

John 5:3-6 English Standard Version

Don’t you get overwhelmed by the needs that are “out there”? Neighbours who need to hear the Gospel. Those who are now sick with Covid-19. People in your town who are hungry. People in your community who need help with drug or alcohol addictions? It brings to mind the multitude of invalids sheltered in the five colonnades near the pool of Bethesda. So many people in great and urgent need. Did you notice that despite the fact there were a multitude of invalids, Jesus approached and healed only one?

Jesus’ work is to do the will of His Father (John 4:34). Led by the Holy Spirit, Whom had been given to Jesus without measure (John 3:34), Jesus did not worry about all the people who were laying there, He concerned Himself with the one person whom the Spirit directed Him to speak with and heal.

Who has God’s Spirit placed on your heart this day? Who needs your unique gifts and talents so that God’s grace and love will be administered to a specific person by the exercise of your gifts? It is okay to pass by a multitude of invalids, even groups of needy people, if you are being faithful to the LORD our God and serving the one His Spirit has prompted you to care for in the Name of Jesus. Act in accord with what you know the Spirit is calling you to do today. Write that encouraging email. Call the person you know is struggling. Give that gift of money. Visit that lonely person. Donate your time. Repair that thing you know someone needs help with to fix. Mentor. Tutor. Embark on a weight loss program with someone who needs your witness. As varied as your gifts and interests, talents and abilities are, so varied are the ways in which you can bless and serve others in the glorious Name of Jesus.

Blessed are You, God our Father. What an honour it is to know we are Your workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do the good You have prepared in advance for us to do. Thank You for Your Spirit, living in us, exciting in us the possibilities of helping and blessing others in the Name of Jesus. Forgive us for fields unwon. Forgive us for work undone. Renew in us this day, a holy zeal and great passion to use the gifts and abilities You have given us for the expansion of Your Kingdom. Amen.