READING: John 5:1-47, Mark 2:23-28, Matthew 12:1-8, Luke 6:1-5, Mark 3:1-6, Matthew 12:9-14, Luke 6:6-11, Matthew 12:15-21
To be honest, I had to learn as a young pastor to appreciate ministry in a hospital or a nursing home. I had seldom been to either before I started pastoring at age 20, and I suspect my discomfort in both places was evident. It took years, in fact, for me not only to appreciate the ministry, but also to look forward to it. In those situations I often found folks quite open to talking about life and eternal matters.
In today’s reading in John 5, Jesus intentionally made His way to the sick and hurting, and He specifically ministered to a man who had been disabled for almost four decades. Scholars debate the best way to understand the man’s heart, but what matters most is the heart of Jesus—who came to bring life abundant to a hurting world. Jesus went to a man who could not get to Him.
I’m grateful today that Jesus initiates a relationship with hopeless people like you and me. I trust you are, too.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you recognize your helplessness apart from Christ?
DAILY PRAYER: “Thank You, God, for coming to me when I could not help myself.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Mark 3:17-19, Luke 6:12-16, Matthew 5:1-12, Luke 6:17-26, Matthew 5:13-48, Luke 6:27-36, Matthew 6:1-4
