The Difference
Matthew 20:17-19 (NLT) He took the twelve disciples aside privately and told them what was going to happen to Him. 18 "Listen," He said, "we're going up to Jerusalem, where the Son of Man will be betrayed to the leading priests and the teachers of religious law. They will sentence Him to die. 19 Then they will hand Him over to the Romans to be mocked, flogged with a whip, and crucified. But on the third day He will be raised from the dead.”
Ephesians 2:4-5 (NLT) But God is so rich in mercy, and He loved us so much, 5 that even though we were dead because of our sins, He gave us life when He raised Christ from the dead.
John 5:1-2, Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades.
Bethesda means; “The House of Grace” or “The House of Mercy.”
John 5:3-6, Here a great number of disabled people used to lie — the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 4 For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 5 One who was there had been an invalid [crippled] for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there [helpless] and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time…
While others may have forgotten about him — Jesus never did.
John 5:6, When Jesus saw him lying there [helpless] and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, He asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
Jesus will never fix anything against our will.
Jesus knew this man wasn’t where he belonged.
Jesus asked a question of desire, but the man responded with an answer of ability.
John 5:7, “I can’t, sir, I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”
“Why haven’t YOU ____ ?”
This man’s focus was on:
1. Himself
2. Others
3. Circumstance
He failed to focus on the only One who could give him the grace and mercy he needed.
Will you give Him permission to touch your life?
John 5:8-9, Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked.
Jesus didn’t help this man close the distance, He removed it. Because Jesus never came to “make up” the difference, He came because He is the difference!
What are you focusing on today?
Acts 4:12 (NLT) There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved!
Revelation 5:9 (NKJV) For You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood…