With Healing Comes Great Boldness

We hear in the Gospel of John (5.1-15)of another healing by Jesus when He was in the Temple for the Feast of the Jewish Pentecost, or the Feast of Weeks when the Jews celebrate the giving of the Law to Moses. We hear of a man paralyzed for thirty-eight years with nobody to assist him or care for him. As he was healed Jesus said, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” (John 5.8) This was met with very stern interrogation by the Jewish elite. “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” (John 5.10)

The man who was healed responded with great boldness, never once excusing his behavior. “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk,” and again, “It was Jesus who had made me well.” (John 5.11, 15) In both cases the man chose to stand up for the truth of Christ, even in the face of possible punishment by the Jewish elite, rather than making excuses for his breaking the law. He had been healed which was a much greater thing than to be caught carrying his bed on the Sabbath.

We have been healed by Christ’s glorious resurrection. We have been healed and allowed to walk freely rather than be chained down by sin and death. What is our response? What will we answer if someone demands a response as to why we don’t bow down to public pressure to live according to the flesh rather than living a life of peace and love, confessing God.

In the face of possible persecution by the Jewish elite, the paralytic said, “It was Jesus,” confessing his faith in the power of God. What will our confession be in the face of the American elite? Will we confess our faith and loyalty to Jesus Christ? How bold will we be?