“Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, ‘Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you.’” – John 5:14
For 38 years, the man had been afflicted. For who knows how many years, he had lain beside the pool of Bethesda, waiting for the stirring of the waters. Then, in a moment of grace, Jesus had healed him.
He hadn’t known who Jesus was: only that a stranger had made him well and bidden him to take up his pallet and walk. And so he had. But then Jesus found him later in the temple, and gave him a solemn warning: “Do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse may befall you.”
If you were given such a great gift – complete healing after 38 years of misery – wouldn’t you heed such a warning? Love God with your whole heart, mind, and strength? Serve him in every way you could think of?
I don’t know what the man in John chapter 5 did. But I know myself, and that knowledge is a humbling thing.
--- What has Jesus rescued you from in the past?
--- Do you ever treat Jesus like a “get out of jail free” card: trusting him to rescue you, with no real intention of repentance?
--- What sins do you tend to return to time and again, and why?
--- If necessary, spend time in confession … and purpose in your heart to commit yourself to true repentance.