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Healing of the Soul
51
unable to contend successfully with the scrambling, selfish crowd.
His persistent efforts toward the
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one object, and his anxiety and continual disappointment, were fast
wearing away the remnant of his strength.
The sick man was lying on his mat and occasionally lifting his
head to gaze at the pool, when a tender, compassionate face bent
over him, and the words, “Wilt thou be made whole?” arrested his
attention. Hope came to his heart. He felt that in some way he
was to have help. But the glow of encouragement soon faded. He
remembered how often he had tried to reach the pool, and now
he had little prospect of living till it should again be troubled. He
turned away wearily, saying, “Sir, 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.”
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Jesus bids him, “Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.”
Verses 6-8
.
With a new hope the sick man looks upon Jesus. The expression of
His countenance, the tones of His voice, are like no other. Love and
power seem to breathe from His very presence. The cripple’s faith
takes hold upon Christ’s word. Without question he sets his will to
obey, and, as he does this, his whole body responds.
Every nerve and muscle thrills with new life, and healthful action
comes to his crippled limbs. Springing to his feet, he goes on his
way with firm, free step, praising God and rejoicing in his new-found
strength.
Jesus had given the palsied man no assurance of divine help. The
man might have said, “Lord, if Thou wilt make me whole, I will
obey Thy word.” He might have stopped to doubt, and thus have
lost his one chance of healing. But no, he believed Christ’s word,
believed that he was made whole; immediately he made the effort,
and God gave him the power; he willed to walk, and he did walk.
Acting on the word of Christ, he was made whole.
By sin we have been severed from the life of God. Our souls
are palsied. Of ourselves we are no more capable of living a holy
life than was the impotent man capable of walking. Many realize
their helplessness; they are longing for that spiritual life which will
bring them into harmony with God, and are striving to obtain it. But
in vain. In despair they cry, “O wretched man that I am! who shall
deliver me from this body of death?”
Romans 7:24
, margin. Let