The story from John, chapter five, about the healing of the man at the pool, is intriguing as much as it is fascinating. The miracle that Jesus did that day for the man was in itself amazing. The healing of a man, who had lived as an invalid for over thirty-eight years, was something done out of compassion and love.
However, the question I have to ask is, “Can someone be set free from something, and yet stay trapped in a mindset that they find difficult to break free from?” Someone once said, “You can take the man out of Glasgow , but you can’t take Glasgow out of the man.” However, the Bible says in John 8:36 (NIV), “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.” To accept that life changing truth and to live in it, takes faith on our part.
This man, once Jesus had healed him, was set free from being an invalid, but in his mind he was still an invalid, trapped in a mindset, for he was found by Jesus at the temple, begging. For this man the scripture is very prophetic: 2 Peter 2:22 (NIV), “Of them the proverbs are true: ‘A dog returns to its vomit,’ and, ‘A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.’” All this man ever knew was how to beg, but Jesus came along and healed him. He could not break free from his old way of life.
In its form, it was very insulting to the grace of God, to lie about being healed by the grace of God, and to lie about being an invalid, but not only to lie about it, but furthermore to do so at the doorsteps of the temple of God . The man was accustomed to sitting at the pool of Bethesda , where rich people were not often seen. It was here at this pool that he was healed, but now he was found at the doorsteps of the temple, where the rich would pass by on the way to give their tithes and offerings unto the Lord.
So many people whom God has set free from what has held them captive, and held them trapped, return to their old way of life after Jesus heals them, because that is all that they have known. However, when God sets you free from those things that have held you snared and trapped, He can lift you up and set your feet upon a Rock of stability. He can heal you, not only physically, but also mentally, so that you can walk away from it all, and start a new life in Him; a new life with a greater purpose, with a new meaning, a brighter future, a new attitude, and a new mindset. The Bible says in Ephesians 4:23-24, To be made new in the attitude of your minds; and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
My friend, when Jesus performs a miracle in our lives, albeit, the miracle of being born-again, or being healed, we then make a choice of how we want to live. Although we are saved, washed, and cleansed in Jesus Christ, we should read His word, and as the Bible says in Colossians 3:16 (KJV), “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom”. Let our minds be renewed daily by the liberating truths of God’s word, so that we are set free completely from our past way of life, and no longer be trapped in a crippling mindset that does not allow us to move forward in God. Let us embrace this truth and live in the benefit of this statement, “You can take the man out of Glasgow, and Glasgow out of the man, by the power of Jesus Christ of Nazareth he can be completely set free!”
God bless you my friend, Matthew.
