4. (John 5:1-9) – It’s Easy to Give Up

John 5:7 – “The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”

Why do you think this man gave such an answer? Why didn’t he just say “yes”? I believe it’s because there was more to the story, and much of what I said concerning Jesus question in the first place, was probably true.

His answer could be read as putting the blame somewhere else. “Sure I want to be healed, but the reason I’m not healed is not my fault.” If this was a blame passing answer, then there was a humility missing from this man. We all should learn something from this. When God asks you if you want to be healed, just say “yes”. What point is there to say anything else? There’s not one. When you’re desperate, you’re desperate. When you are broken, you’re broken. There’s no hiding it and there’s no need to place blame. You need what only God can give, so just receive it. Humble yourself and receive it. Don’t try to give an excuse for why you’re not a better person, or why you couldn’t be healed on your own. When it all comes down, healing only comes from God, whether the water is stirred or not.

There’s one additional possibility for this man’s strange answer and it’s the one I lean towards believing was actually behind it. Maybe he had given up. He’s basically saying, “I’ve tried, but it’s no use.” When you’ve been waiting thirty-eight years for a miracle, it’s much easier to just give up than to keep believing and hoping for a miracle. Faith is a hard road, giving up is the easy road.

Have you been waiting a long time for God to show up in your life? Are you wondering why He doesn’t? It’s been years, and you’ve seen nothing. Does that mean God doesn’t exist? Does that mean God doesn’t care? Are you going to give up?

What if the morning of this encounter, the man had reached his limit. What if he woke up and said, “I’ve gone to that pool for thirty-eight years and nothing has happened. I’m staying home today.” He would have missed God and he most likely would have remained crippled the rest of his life.

Here’s the main point. If you want to be healed, you should go where you’re most likely to be healed. Don’t give up, keep going. If you want to see God, you should put yourself in a place where God is most likely to show up. If you’re not looking and seeking after Him, why should He show up. If you’ve given up and convinced yourself that He’s not coming. Then you too will remain crippled and empty. Maybe I could say this simpler-truly hungry people hang out in the kitchen, not the bedroom.

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:28-29)