July 13, 2024 Devo

July 13th, 2024

“It’s All About Jesus!”
Jesus at the Pool of Bethesda (John 5:1-15)
Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda, with five covered porches. Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. – John 5:2-3 (NLT)
“Our Common Pool”

Last Sunday, when I came to church, I was tired, and my heart was heavy. It had been an exhausting week, and I was mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually drained. As I made my way through the morning, I realized I wasn’t alone. There were LOTS of us there needing a touch from God. There were a couple of people that I knew were battling cancer. There were a couple more that I talked to who were worn out from caring for family members. There were a few who had some tough marital stuff going on. There were a few more facing surgeries. And all of those were just the ones I was aware of.
But that’s the point. We often come into church or other places believing we’re the only ones feeling the weight of the world on our shoulders. But we’re not. Hurting people are all around us. Some show it openly, while others try to hide it, but EVERYONE has something. Did you notice that in our passage today? “Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches.” Different hurts. Different needs. Different struggles. But all there because they are longing for healing in their lives.
That’s our story, too. We may feel as if we’re different, odd, or more needy than those we see around us. But we’re actually exactly the same. The need for the healing hand of God is the common pool we ALL find ourselves coming to. So don’t withdraw, don’t pull back, and don’t let yourself believe the lie that no one around you knows how you feel. We do. We ALL do. So, you pray for me, and I’ll pray for you. Together we’ll cry out for the Healing Hand of God to meet us here. That’s God’s Word for you today.