John 5:1-17
Many think that we live in a self-help society, that God will help those who help themselves, and that people must take the first step. The miracle of the paralytic's healing teaches this is not the case - it is not just a story of a miracle. We see that Jesus helps those who cannot help themselves. He comes to them with compassion and asks if they want to get healed, yet people have all sorts of excuses why they cannot be helped and why God should not have compassion and mercy on them, especially when it comes to sin. Some think they are not good enough or beyond salvation, but we see that Jesus can overcome every excuse people make why they cannot be healed. Jesus does not come to those who can fix their problems; he comes to those in desperate need of healing. Jesus does not look at people with condemnation but with compassion. Whatever sin you are struggling with, Jesus has the power to heal you. God is the one who takes the initiative. God is the one who seeks and saves the lost. If you are a Christian today, it is not because you sought God; it is because God sought you in the same way that Jesus spotted the paralytic who had no idea who Jesus was. While we were still sinners and powerless, Jesus died for our sins. A message by Thapelo Mpai.