Gospel

Rise Up

by Roland Crim
06/27/20
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Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." John 5:8 NIV

Most of those who surrounded Christ and this invalid must have thought this statement to be quite strange. Why would Christ make such a statement? Could He not have said to the man that he was healed and could go.

What Christ is doing here is offering the man an opportunity to attempt to help himself within the curing process. If the man had not tried to get up he would have remained there in his invalid state. Here was a chance for the man to show faith and truly believe that he could attempt to stand up on his own. This does not insinuate that the man cured himself but that he had the faith and desire to attempt to help himself. Christ wishes to heal each of us but first we must truly desire to be healed and do that which we need to do in the healing process.

Telling the man to pick up his mat would reveal the wholeness of the healing. This was not a partial, but complete healing of the infirmity. As it was not allowed for anyone to carry their mat on a Sabbath it would bring attention to the man and many might question why he did that which was not allowed, thus enabling him to share about his miraculous cure. Many might question how he was healed, and thus comes the revealing of the miracles of God.

We must share with others about healing which Christ provides to us. Many are looking for healing and don’t know where to turn. Share with them about turning to Christ.