John 5:1-9
1After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.
2Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3In these lay many invalids blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” 7The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” 8Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” 9At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.
Prayer:
Gracious God, thank you for your son Jesus who shows us how to be made well and walk in Christ’s way. Help us “Stand up,.. and walk,” so that we may be made well as well. Standing, Jesus, give us the courage to then step out in faith. Clear our path, so we might walk your way always, helping others up along your path, leading all into your light, love and peace. In Jesus’s holy name we pray. Amen.
Written by Rev. John R. Cook, UKirk SC/Shandon Presbyterian Church,
Columbia College, Midlands Tech, University of South Carolina