I was awake at 5am this morning (8-26-13.) Lying in bed, my thoughts were telling me that I had to get up and read the Bible. I also thought about the day ahead. I would write "The Conclusion" for my new book: "Wisdom From The Hood." After I finish writing the book, I have to begin editing and publishing which is a process that's a bit intimidating because I'm fairly new in the publishing game. I got up and went into another room to read (my beautiful wife was still sleeping!) I read about a pause. Have you ever witnessed the "Jesus Pause?"
In John 5:1-16, there is a story that includes a "pause." A man who had been an invalid for 38 years was sitting by a pool that was known for healing people. The man was so crippled that he was unable to get into the water by himself. Jesus strolls up and asks the man if he wants to be healed. After a brief discussion, Jesus heals the man. He then tells him to grab the mat that he was lying on and leave. The man did not know who Jesus was. The man did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. He was told by Jesus to walk away. Jesus did not start the healing process by talking about sin. Jesus asked him what he wanted, healed him and left him.
After the man leaves carrying his bed roll, the religious folks spot him and accuse him of breaking the law of the Sabbath. I think they considered anything more than a heartbeat or breath an infraction of the law of resting on the Sabbath. The healed man told them that he was healed by someone whom he did not know (a stranger.) In the holy rollers' eyes, there were 2 sinners in their midst: the man carrying a mat and the man who healed him. They would get to the bottom of this dastardly crime!
Later, Jesus comes along and sees the healed man. He probably smiles and tells him how great he looks. Then he tells him to stop sinning or something worse will happen to him. The healed man now knows who Jesus is and relays that information to the holy folks. Why did Jesus heal the man without asking for repentance from his sins? Why didn't Jesus tell the man who he was? Why was there a "pause" between the healing and revelation?
We listen to politicians walking around broadcasting their accomplishments and plans for a greater future. They tell us to vote for them and that will give us a better future. Teachers tell students to study hard to pass exams. The court bailiff orders you to show respect and stand as the judge enters the courtroom. A husband or wife may demand performance as proof that they are really loved. Jesus did not broadcast. Jesus did not demand study. Jesus did not demand respect. Jesus did not demand performance. Jesus simply did not demand. Jesus paused.
This has been a book about pausing. A time to pause and reflect. The Sabbath is a time to pause and rest. It is not confined to a certain day nor is moral behavior confined to a church building. A sabbath should be a rest in God. A sabbath should be a pause to reflect upon God prior to any action. Jesus paused to see a man in need. He paused to ask him his needs. He healed him and paused before giving good advice. He formed a relationship (pausefully) before he spoke truth into the heart.
God, I pause right now to say thanks for your mercy, grace and healing pause in my life. Please cause a rest in your people that will give them peace through their reflections on your grace. May they take the lessons of their lives and bless future generations with your wisdom. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
In John 5:1-16, there is a story that includes a "pause." A man who had been an invalid for 38 years was sitting by a pool that was known for healing people. The man was so crippled that he was unable to get into the water by himself. Jesus strolls up and asks the man if he wants to be healed. After a brief discussion, Jesus heals the man. He then tells him to grab the mat that he was lying on and leave. The man did not know who Jesus was. The man did not have a personal relationship with Jesus. He was told by Jesus to walk away. Jesus did not start the healing process by talking about sin. Jesus asked him what he wanted, healed him and left him.
John 5:1-16 The Message
5 1-6 Soon another Feast came around and Jesus was back in Jerusalem. Near the Sheep Gate in Jerusalem there was a pool, in Hebrew called Bethesda, with five alcoves. Hundreds of sick people—blind, crippled, paralyzed—were in these alcoves. One man had been an invalid there for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him stretched out by the pool and knew how long he had been there, he said, “Do you want to get well?”7 The sick man said, “Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to put me in the pool. By the time I get there, somebody else is already in.”
8-9 Jesus said, “Get up, take your bedroll, start walking.” The man was healed on the spot. He picked up his bedroll and walked off.
9-10 That day happened to be the Sabbath. The Jews stopped the healed man and said, “It’s the Sabbath. You can’t carry your bedroll around. It’s against the rules.”
11 But he told them, “The man who made me well told me to. He said, ‘Take your bedroll and start walking.’”
12-13 They asked, “Who gave you the order to take it up and start walking?” But the healed man didn’t know, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd.
14 A little later Jesus found him in the Temple and said, “You look wonderful! You’re well! Don’t return to a sinning life or something worse might happen.”
15-16 The man went back and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. That is why the Jews were out to get Jesus—because he did this kind of thing on the Sabbath.
After the man leaves carrying his bed roll, the religious folks spot him and accuse him of breaking the law of the Sabbath. I think they considered anything more than a heartbeat or breath an infraction of the law of resting on the Sabbath. The healed man told them that he was healed by someone whom he did not know (a stranger.) In the holy rollers' eyes, there were 2 sinners in their midst: the man carrying a mat and the man who healed him. They would get to the bottom of this dastardly crime!
Later, Jesus comes along and sees the healed man. He probably smiles and tells him how great he looks. Then he tells him to stop sinning or something worse will happen to him. The healed man now knows who Jesus is and relays that information to the holy folks. Why did Jesus heal the man without asking for repentance from his sins? Why didn't Jesus tell the man who he was? Why was there a "pause" between the healing and revelation?
We listen to politicians walking around broadcasting their accomplishments and plans for a greater future. They tell us to vote for them and that will give us a better future. Teachers tell students to study hard to pass exams. The court bailiff orders you to show respect and stand as the judge enters the courtroom. A husband or wife may demand performance as proof that they are really loved. Jesus did not broadcast. Jesus did not demand study. Jesus did not demand respect. Jesus did not demand performance. Jesus simply did not demand. Jesus paused.
This has been a book about pausing. A time to pause and reflect. The Sabbath is a time to pause and rest. It is not confined to a certain day nor is moral behavior confined to a church building. A sabbath should be a rest in God. A sabbath should be a pause to reflect upon God prior to any action. Jesus paused to see a man in need. He paused to ask him his needs. He healed him and paused before giving good advice. He formed a relationship (pausefully) before he spoke truth into the heart.
God, I pause right now to say thanks for your mercy, grace and healing pause in my life. Please cause a rest in your people that will give them peace through their reflections on your grace. May they take the lessons of their lives and bless future generations with your wisdom. In Jesus name. Amen.
Thanks for your time. Go do something nice for somebody.
Jesus loves you and so do we.
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