Seekers Are Healed By Jesus - John 5-6

John 5:5-9 (ESV)

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?” 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.” Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked.

Now that day was the Sabbath.

For those who believe that man has a choice to be saved or not (it is man’s free will that saves him) the above story is a compelling argument.  Jesus asks the man, “Do you want to be healed?” (The man never really says yes or no to Jesus’ question.).    Many who believe in man’s involvement in his own salvation believe this story is good evidence for their argument. 

For those who believe that God is sovereign and it is only through His sovereign grace that man is saved, must consider this story in their theology, as well.    It would, however, be noted by them that although the man might have the desire to be “healed,” that desire alone would not heal him.   When Jesus said, “Get up, take your bed and walk,” the man would demonstrate his will.  But God sovereignty would have been necessary for him to do so.   By Jesus speaking those words, it was the “word of God” that moved him.   Faith in the word of God is always necessary to save mankind.   

In this story we have these two thoughts collide.   Man’s responsibility is faith in God’s word. It is God’s sovereignty that determines if man hears God’s word.   Jesus came by that spot, at the time, to engage with the man.    Jesus sees the man condition and speaks truth to him, first questioning whether he had reached a spot of contentment in his life.  The man could have said, “No, I’m good.  This is my lot in life. I am just a worthless cripple.”    Instead that man showed some signs of discontent as he thought the reason for his lack of healing was an inability to get to the pool fast enough.   He was seeking healing through the miraculous pool.   Instead Jesus offered him God’s power.  He had to believe God’s word and that faith in God’s word was what healed him.   Faith, however, is a gift from God.   

Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

So the entire act was never about the man and all about the power of Jesus.   That is the point of miracle John recalls in this gospel.   The man was already there seeking healing but could not do it on his own.  Those who are seeking will be blessed with healing, but the healing is totally God’s work:

Psalms 24:5-6 (ESV)

He will receive blessing from the LORD

and righteousness from the God of his salvation.

Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah

In the End There Will Be Judgment - Daniel 7-12

Daniel 12:2 (ESV)

And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

The above verse comes at the end of Daniel and at the end of a message an angel is giving to Daniel.  This entire section of Daniel (chapters 7-12) gives us insight into the kingdoms from Daniel’s day to our day to the future kingdom of Christ.   The language is difficult to understand. The duel interpretation of what was meant for THAT day and what was meant by the same verses for a FUTURE day, can be confusing.  The above verse is an example of this.   There is no doubt that the verse is speaking about a resurrection.  The resurrection of the dead will result in the judicial prosecution of many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth.  Because it says many and not all we have a dilemma determining who the angel is talking about.   The fact that there will be a resurrection is undisputed.  The fact that those dead and buried in the earth will be awakened and will stand in judgment.  That judgment can result in one of two sentences:  1).  Sentenced to everlasting life, or, 2). Sentenced to everlasting contempt.  Since this same language is found in other portions of the Scriptures we can somewhat conclude that God is going to raise up the dead and judge them.   We can argue about the who and we can certainly all argue about the when.   But we can’t argue the fact that a resurrection is going to happen and it will result in eternal consequences.   Our faith in Christ guarantees that we will not face everlasting contempt, as we no longer face condemnation: 

 Romans 8:1 (ESV)

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

We are to rejoice in the day we will be resurrected to everlasting life.   It is, however, clear, that some will not!

Joy Is Good Medicine - Proverbs 16-17

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

A joyful heart is good medicine,

but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.

Because of both a heart attack at 55 and a cardiac arrest at 71, I am on a regiment of medication. Every week my wife lays out pills in piles and I dutifully take them morning and night. When I had the heart attack there was plenty of speculation as to the cause. Along with food habits and no habit of excercise, most of the advice I received was that I had to slow down and figure out how to reduce my stress levels. If I would have followed the medical "advice" of the above verse I probably wouldn't have to take the meds today. Putting yourself under stress is one sure way to "dry up the bones." This contrasting parallelism give us the wisdom that trusting in God (the real source of joy) is good medicine, while living without joy will dry the bones. The best medicine is to be controlled by the Spirit. The fruit of the Spirit is love, "joy", etc. A joyful heart comes from the fear of the Lord and trusting in Him and allowing the Spirit to rule. Without it you are under stress with dried up bones that produces a broken spirit and ... eventually a broken heart.  We don't muster-up a joyful heart.  We don't wait for circumstances to produce a moment of happenstance.   Happy is a word that comes from a root word, "hap," which means something just "happened" to produce the moment.   People get happy because some particular circumstance changed to their favor.  Happiness is not a joyfulness. A joyful heart comes from allowing the Spirit of God to work within us, based upon the truth of God, sharpening us into a deeper knowledge of and shape like Christ.   That is great medicine.   I will take heart meds the rest of my life for the way I lived without Christlike joy.  One of the "pills" I take every day, now, is to allow the Spirit of God to shape my life.   He is good medicine for a guilty and shameful soul.  

Declare His Glory - Psalms 96-98

Psalms 96:3 (ESV)

Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvelous works among all the peoples!

Our responsibility each day is to fulfill the above verse each day of our lives.  And we are to do this all over our lives.  Note:

Psalms 145:4-6 (ESV)

One generation shall commend your works to another,

and shall declare your mighty acts.

On the glorious splendor of your majesty,

and on your wondrous works, I will meditate.

They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds,

and I will declare your greatness.

God’s entire creation has this responsibility, as well:

Psalms 19:1-2 (ESV)

The Law of the LORD Is Perfect

TO THE CHOIRMASTER. A PSALM OF DAVID.

The heavens declare the glory of God,

and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,

and night to night reveals knowledge.

Psalms 50:6 (ESV)

The heavens declare his righteousness,

for God himself is judge! Selah

We are not to be afraid to this any time and anywhere.   The above verse instructs us to declare His glory among all the peoples.   We can often feel comfortable declaring His glory among our own.   We can do so in collective worship, without fail.  We can do so on Sunday.  But what about Monday.   What about Friday and/or Saturday night.  Our desire in life ought to be to declare the glory of God.   

Trust God’s Plan - 1 Chronicles 5-9

1 Chronicles 9:35-44 (ESV)

Saul’s Genealogy Repeated

In Gibeon lived the father of Gibeon, Jeiel, and the name of his wife was Maacah, and his firstborn son Abdon, then Zur, Kish, Baal, Ner, Nadab, Gedor, Ahio, Zechariah, and Mikloth; and Mikloth was the father of Shimeam; and these also lived opposite their kinsmen in Jerusalem, with their kinsmen. Ner fathered Kish, Kish fathered Saul, Saul fathered Jonathan, Malchi-shua, Abinadab, and Eshbaal. And the son of Jonathan was Merib-baal, and Merib-baal fathered Micah. The sons of Micah: Pithon, Melech, Tahrea, and Ahaz. And Ahaz fathered Jarah, and Jarah fathered Alemeth, Azmaveth, and Zimri. And Zimri fathered Moza. Moza fathered Binea, and Rephaiah was his son, Eleasah his son, Azel his son. Azel had six sons and these are their names: Azrikam, Bocheru, Ishmael, Sheariah, Obadiah, and Hanan; these were the sons of Azel.

Is that list now inspired reading?   When reading this list we have to remember Paul’s admonition to Pastor Timothy:

2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

We tend to want to skip over these passages rather than ask, “Why did God put this in the Bible?”   As the ESV Bible composers indicated for this section, this is a list of Saul’s genealogy, AGAIN.  Why would God have us read it twice?  The books of Chronicles were written when the nation of Israel was returning from exile.  It was important for the coming Messiah that the nation keep perfect records about the line of David, his kingship and Israel’s sustaining of kings.  Saul was the first king.  Saul becomes the first King and David will follow.  David is then promised a kingship for all generations.  Those generations end with Jesus as King.   When we see the names we are seeing the purpose and promises of God.  God is accurate and does all things by design.   There are no mistake with God and there are no unplanned people along the way.   

We Are On A List - Numbers 1-4

Numbers 1:47 (ESV)

But the Levites were not listed along with them by their ancestral tribe.

Numbers 3:15-16 (ESV)

“List the sons of Levi, by fathers’ houses and by clans; every male from a month old and upward you shall list.” So Moses listed them according to the word of the LORD, as he was commanded.

Numbers is a book that gives us ... numbers.   The name of the book comes from the numbering of the men for war and the numbering of the tribe of Levi, not for war, but for duty to the Tabernacle.   (As stated by many a better name for the book might be something like: The Wilderness Wandering Record.)   The book gives us an accounting of what the nation did in the 40 years of punishment in the wilderness.   There is a lot of mention of names and place and events.   

In the above two verses we read that the Levi’s were not be listed in one list and they were the only ones listed on another list.  They were not to be counted as men able to go to war.  It does not mean they could not fight, but it does mean they were not to be part of the standing army.   They were added to a special list. That list was for the duty of caring for all things Tabernacle (large and small).   They were in the service of the LORD and therefore not in service to fight in battle.  

It should be noted that today God also assigns us roles and responsibilities in this life today as He did then.  

In the Church it is God’s manifold wisdom what gifts He gives us:

1 Corinthians 12:11 (ESV)

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as he wills.

Ephesians 4:11-12 (ESV)

And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ,

It is God who decides our path.  We are His possession, the sheep of His pasture:

Psalms 100:3 (ESV)

Know that the LORD, he is God!

It is he who made us, and we are his;

we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

We may not be on one list, be we are on a list for God.  We are to embrace that and fulfill His path for our lives.  

Proverbs 16:9 (ESV)

The heart of man plans his way,

but the LORD establishes his steps.

God Provides Comfort - 2 Thessalonians

2 Thessalonians 2:16-17 (ESV)

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.

The fact that God sent His Son to comfort us and to show us His comfort is one of the most comforting truths we can know and hold to.  God wants to provide us with His comfort.  You will see that the Trinity is involved in that comfort if you read the verses below.   One of the most famous verses about God’s comfort is here:

Psalms 23:4 (ESV)

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they comfort me.

Notice some of the verses in God’s Word about His comfort to us and for us:

word.  This is a great prayer list to pray each week about God’s amazing comfort:

MONDAY - COMFORT from the God of all COMFORT

2 Corinthians 1:3

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all COMFORT,

TUESDAY - Comfort in the Holy Spirit

Acts 9:31

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the COMFORT of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.

WEDNESDAY - Comfort from Scripture 

Romans 15:4

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.

THURSDAY - Comfort in our Afflictions

2 Corinthians 1:5-7

For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in COMFORT too. If we are afflicted, it is for your COMFORT and salvation; and if we are COMFORTED, it is for your COMFORT, which you experience when you patiently endure the same sufferings that we suffer. Our hope for you is unshaken, for we know that as you share in our sufferings, you will also share in our COMFORT.

FRIDAY - Comfort from other believers 

2 Corinthians 1:4

... who COMFORTS us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to COMFORT those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are COMFORTED by God

1 Thessalonians 3:7 (ESV Strong's)

7 for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been COMFORTED about you through your faith.

SATURDAY - Comfort from God’s shepherding correction:

Psalms 23:4 (ESV)

4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil,

for you are with me;

your rod and your staff,

they COMFORT me.

SUNDAY - Comfort is God’s promised blessing (Makarios)

Matthew 5:4

“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be COMFORTED.