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Come to Jesus

There is no prison worse than the one we put ourselves in.

In ancient Jerusalem there was a man beside the pool of Bethesda. He was called ‘impotent’ because he had no power; he couldn’t walk; he was helpless. John makes mention of him in the fifth chapter. He was terribly afflicted and he was scarcely able even to move. He languished in lonely misery beside that pool waiting with many others for the water to stir, hoping that by some miracle he, this time, might be the first to enter the angel’s waters and be healed.

It has been thirty-eight years since his sins so entrapped and afflicted him. Can you imagine? – Thirty-eight desperate years he has done all he could to free himself of this physical, emotional, and spiritual prison – and to no avail. Where was his hope?

Then one day a stranger entered the porches of Bethesda and walked among the multitude of sick folk. Coming to the man, Jesus knew him and He stopped.

“… Wilt thou be made whole?” the Savior asked? (John 5:6)

“… Sir,” the crippled man respectfully replied, “I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming another steppeth down before me.” (John 5:7)

“… Rise,” the Master said, “Take up thy bed and walk.” (John 5:8)

And for the first time in almost 40 long years, the impotent man stood; he walked, and was whole. Having no power to come to Jesus, Jesus came to Him. And so He will.

Now my friends, the Savior has said repeatedly, “Come unto me.”

But there are some who just don’t know how to come. And there are some who think this journey can be made whenever and however they choose, or that it’s a one-time trip.

They are mistaken! The journey to Jesus takes a lifetime and beyond. None of us have [has] any more power to come to Jesus than He gives us, nor can we come any closer to Him than He allows.

Praise be to God! He loves us – all of us. And He wants all of us near Him – in Him. And He will at the appointed time come for each of us, even and especially for those humble prisoners who want so desperately to come and be closer to Him, but they just don’t know how.

Be patient, and do your best. He’s watching, and He will come! – I promise.

John 5:2-9