Unsolicited Favour

 “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.’” (John 5:7, New King James Version).

This is the key Bible verse for our “Come and See” devotional today.

There was a sick man who had waited for thirty-eight years at a pool known as Bethesda, in Jerusalem, for an opportunity to be healed, but without success. At the side of this pool many sick people would lie, including the blind, lame and the paralysed. From time to time the water would be stirred by an angel and whoever stepped into the water first during this angelic visitation would be healed of whatever disease he or she had (read John 5:1-15). In most situations the principle of ‘ask and it shall be given’ could be expected to precede the miraculous, but this situation at the pool was totally different. Thus, Jesus approached this man and the Bible relates: “when Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’” (John 5:6, New International Version).

That helpless man had waited for thirty-eight years for his situation to change, therefore one would have expected him to ask Jesus to be healed. However, he did not ask Jesus, as the Bible records: “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.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’  And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked” (John 5:7-9, New King James Version). Against all odds, this man was favoured by God for the cure of his sickness. Moreover, this miracle even happened on the Sabbath day, when nobody was permitted to work, or perform miracles or engage in any form of activity.

There could be a repeat performance of this event in your own life because the Miracle Worker who favoured that ‘certain man’ at the pool known as Bethesda is alive and has not changed. The Bible states that: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (Hebrews 13:8, New International Version). In other words, the Lord will visit you in your helplessness and will help you with His favour: this will turn your lack of direction into progress forward, shame into fame, pain into gain, and effort into success.

If  we receive the unsolicited favour of the Most High God, then we must all make His house our new dwelling place, live a holy life, and testify to His goodness. In the case of the man healed at the poolside of Bethesda, the Bible records that: “later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, ‘See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.’” (John 5:14, New International Version).

Let us pray: “Father, visit me with your extraordinary favour and end my struggles,” in Jesus’ Mighty Name, Amen.

Bible Reference: “Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favour as with a shield.” (Psalms 5:12, New International Version).

This message was brought to you by Evangelical Ministries International (EMI). We know this message has been a blessing to you. Please share your testimonies with us by visiting our website www.evangelicalministries.org or contact us on info@evangelicalministries.org. God bless you!