Text: John 5:1-9 KJV
After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the sabbath.
MESSAGE
No one can claim any merit for receiving a miracle, God chooses to give miracles by His mercy. It is important to note again the words, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy – we must allow this valuable truth to sink into our hearts. No one can receive anything except by mercy.
The story in our scriptural text perfectly paints the picture of the role of mercy in obtaining a miracle. While God honours faith, He owes us nothing. Ruling out the active power of faith in securing a miracle would be narrow, however, faith on its own does not get a miracle, it is mercy. What if you have Faith and the door of mercy is shut?
This man had been sick for 38 years, he was hopeless and helpless. There was none to help him those many years. If he had been at the pool those 38 years, it means he had failed 38 times. He must have come close many times, only to suddenly realize that another man had gotten the miracle. But that day when Jesus showed up, mercy stepped in – though he was not the only person there, mercy singled him out for a miracle; though he had no faith, mercy overruled his unbelief; though there was none to help him, mercy worked for him without the help of man.
Dear reader, do you see how mercy got this man his miracle? He wasn’t asking to be healed, he laid there at the pool simply minding his business until mercy suddenly found him and gave him a miracle. May the mercy of God bring you your miracle also today in Jesus’ Name. Amen. Are you sick and laid down hopeless, maybe you are also helpless like this man because there was nobody to help you with finance and emotional support – cry out for mercy.
This man did not get mere healing but was made whole. When a man encounters Jesus, he encounters mercy and can be sure that Jesus will perform a miracle in his life. Do you know the greatest miracle on earth? It is the miracle of salvation, that you are saved and freed from your sins and also given the power to go and sin no more is a mighty miracle. Have you experienced this miracle? If you have not, you can receive this great miracle by crying out to Jesus for mercy.
Jesus does not only give physical miracles alone but He can also save your soul. Whatever miracle you desire this morning mercy will bring it your way in Jesus’ Name. Amen.
REFLECTION
God be merciful unto us, and bless us; and cause his face to shine upon us; Selah. That thy way may be known upon earth, thy saving health among all nations.
Psalm 67:1-2 KJV
Think and pray with these words and you will be blessed.
May the Lord be merciful unto you and apply his saving health to bring you your miracle this morning. Amen.
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