Blockage Three

To date, we have been focusing on an infirm man’s response to Jesus’ question, Do you want to be made well? John 5: 6b. We heard how he promptly answered with these words. Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me. John 5: 7b

I told you that three blockages were identified in his response. We looked at the first two blockages-

Blaming others - This mind-freeing statement was made. Jesus is not about blame! Blame is a leprotic disease that eats away at all decency and clemency, keeping you as a miserable complainer.

Self-pity – Another mind-changing statement was made. Jesus is not about self-pity! Self-pity is an idolatrous evil that steals all character and prudence, chaining you in prisons of apathy and entitlement. 

I offer you the final blockage for your consideration.

While I am coming, another steps down before me.

Jesus has taken in front and speaks to this obviously needy soul, about helping and healing him. Get this straight. This man never asked Jesus for help. Jesus is the Person who came to where this man was and offered him what Jesus has to offer all people in need. Do you want to be made well?  

What do other people have do with your efforts in trying to help yourself? What does Jesus have to do with your strong or feeble attempts at helping yourself? Let me explain what I mean. Our Lord Jesus is speaking about His assistance, His help to offer you, in your infirm state and you immediately sink into self-righteousness and noble efforts. 

Check yourself! Can this be a profile of you in portrait or landscape, no matter how you hold it up? The unmitigated fact is this, whether you realize it or not. You are presenting yourself before the Lord, as one who is trying your best to help yourself. You are not an idle, lazy person. On the contrary, for you are making effort upon effort, working assiduously to help yourself, but others mess it up for you, every time. You believe that people are the problem, never you.

Jesus is the Word made flesh. All that He says about Himself is true and all that He says to you is gospel. Whether or not we want to admit it, many of us are suffering from some crippling diseases. Some are more noticeable than others, but nonetheless disabling. Do your infirmities include those of self-delusion, self-aggrandizement, and self-exhortation?

Jesus found you, and left all, to come to you, just to change your present way of living. He does not just offer you help and healing, but He gives you inner joy and peace as you have never known before. He has come to give you life in all its fullness. Listen! Every single one of you knows this and it is not that you think Jesus is biting off more than He can chew, so to speak. Of course not! For you know that He is a miracle worker and He can help you. The blocking stone is with your diseased faith, which keeps company with self-exaltation.  

Come on now! Do you think that God is unable to recognize evil and that He does not see how you are held by the deadly sin of self-righteousness? Is that why you think you can hold yourself up as making the effort and others as being uncaring and unsympathetic of your situation? You begin your response to Jesus with the self-exultation game.

Jesus is not about self-exultation! Self-exultation is evil necromancy that chases away all fear of the Living God, keeping you as a deceived idolater. 

Think about yourself!

Don't you exalt yourself in a variety of ways?