Get Up! Pick Up Your Mat And Walk!

Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

John 5:8

Yesterday, we began discussing the third miracle of Jesus in the Book of John: the healing of the paralyzed man at the pool of Bethesda. Jesus asked this man a very simple question, or what seemed like a simple question to most people. Many times, we have acted like this man, and instead of answering Jesus, we have made excuses for why our lives are the way they are. We go on and on, talking about the things that are not right and what would have made them right if they had happened. I’m sure by now, you are already recalling all the times you have done this. This man’s response is something most of us have done before.

Yesterday, I used myself as an example, speaking about how I made so many excuses for why I kept failing all my exams. These experiences brought me to a point where I was extremely timid and shy around everyone. So I always kept to myself, in my shell. But when God visited me, He transformed my life, and timidity disappeared. All He wanted me to do was accept and believe His Word. This took me some time because I initially didn’t believe it, but it was by the mercies of God that I did. Only God’s mercy could have transformed my life the way it turned out; it wasn’t because I had great faith.

Even though this man didn’t really believe in Jesus, nor did he know who He was, Jesus chose to reveal Himself to him, just as He revealed Himself to me. Jesus said to this man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” And at once, the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. The same Jesus also revealed Himself to me. When I saw the hand of God upon my life, I went back to Jesus with so much faith, saying that I believed and asking Him to help my unbelief—and truly, He did. This man’s miracle is a sign of Jesus’ mercy over us, even in times when we do not have the Word of God to produce faith in us. Jesus still has mercy upon our lives.

In the same way, Jesus wants to reveal Himself to you. He is saying to you concerning that situation, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” No matter what situation you find yourself in today, Jesus is speaking to you. Believe Him and walk. Don’t remain in that position—get up and walk!

PRAYER