“Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.” John 5:14 (KJV)
One of the most beautiful details in John 5 is that Jesus found the man again.
The first time, Jesus found him beside the pool, unable to walk.
The second time, Jesus found him after the miracle.
And this time Jesus says, “Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more.”
Jesus was not only interested in whether the man could walk. He was interested in how the man would walk.
The miracle restored his body, but Jesus came back for his life.
Grace does not simply rescue us from what held us. Grace calls us to live differently because we are free.
Jesus does not only meet us in the crisis. He finds us after the crisis and reminds us that our freedom comes with a new way of living.
The first encounter got the man on his feet.
The second encounter gave him direction.
Jesus found him when he was broken.
Then He found him again when he was whole.
Let’s pray:
Heavenly Father, thank You for finding me in my broken places. Keep finding me as I walk forward. Do not only change my circumstances. Change the way I live because of what You have done. Teach me to walk in the wholeness You have given me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
