John 5:10-13 -- So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is a Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.’” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick it up and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place.
When Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life are brought into places there is always confrontation and opposition. Sometimes that confrontation and opposition may be internal but, most times it's not.
Today we see the religious establishment confront the man for carrying his bed roll on the Sabbath. God did command to keep the Sabbath holy and not to work. Over the years the interpretation of 'work' grew, until even carrying the smallest items was wrong. So, this man walking along with an old dirty sleeping pallet, caught everyone's attention, especially being just North of the Temple itself.
What I love so much about this interaction is when confronted the man answers by telling them what Jesus did for him and then directly quoting Him! Why am I carrying this…well after thirty-eight years of being crippled and sick this guy walks up to me and made me well, then said, "pick up your pallet and walk.".
Christian, if you have ever struggled with talking to someone about Jesus, here is a fantastic example of how to do it. Share what Jesus has done for you, how He has changed you. Then share the Word. That's it! If they get angry, if they reject it, if they walk away, it is Jesus and the Word they are reacting to, not you.
Last thing that really jumped out at me today is the religious folks were not interested to know the person who made the man well. They only wanted to know who it was that told him to carry the pallet. They skipped over the fact this man had been healed of thirty-eight years of being sick and feeble. Who would dare tell someone to violate our law on this matter? It's sad but how the world is, we look past a hundred good things to find the one thing that offends or upsets.
One thing I taught my boys when dealing with others was; If you go looking for offense, you'll find it every single time. So, be careful what you look for because if you look hard enough, you'll find it. Instead be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.
Before Jesus and the Word were the unshakeable foundation of my life, I could breeze over a thousand good things because they fit what I wanted. They didn't rock the boat of my life. It was the one single thing that didn't fit in my little logical world that would send me into a volcanic eruption. For decades I couldn't figure out why. It wasn't until Jesus confronted and changed me that I could clearly see the pattern.
I struggled greatly with self-hatred, self-depreciation, and the thousand good things affirmed I was okay, then one tiny thing would come, and I instantly felt rejection in it. I heard the tiny thing say, "See you're as awful as you thought you were. This confirms the rejection you've always felt.". Jesus has so changed me now. The old self has been put away and the new self in Jesus has been put on. The old didn't disappear, but it's not in charge any longer. Sure, those old feelings even come up from time to time, but they are immediately handed over to my Lord and Savior. I don't battle the thoughts back and forth in my mind any longer, I go to the Word of God, and I see who I am in Him. I talk with the Lord in prayer instead of arguing internally or with others.
Christian, when dealing with others be like the healed man, make it about Jesus and the Word of God. Then any rejection, anger, or offense is with the King of Kings, Lord of Lords, the Son of God, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Expect confrontation and opposition but rest in knowing God's got it and He's got you firmly in His hands.
Well, that's where the journey went today with the Lord. Remember to never take my word on it, be the Berean, read it for yourself and see what God has for you there.
You are loved. You are prayed over. You are not alone.
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