READING: John 5: 2-14

In today's passage, Jesus encountered a man who had been ill for thirty-eight years and decided to end his ordeal (v. 6). The man was actually seeking an opportunity to be healed (v. 7), and Jesus spoke the word and healed him (vs. 8-9). The Jews reacted negatively to the man's healing as they accused him of working on the Sabbath day by carrying his bed (v. 10). Jesus, not done with the man - found him and told him to sin no more, so that something worse would not happen to him (v. 14).

In this story, there were different needs. The sick man needed good health which God desires for us to enjoy (3 John v. 2); so the man's desire was right. The Jews desired strict observance of the Sabbath which meant no work should be done. Their desire to keep the Sabbath holy was right too. However, both the sick man and the Jews failed to see a greater need, which Jesus alone saw - the need for the man to 'stop sinning'. Dearly beloved, freedom from sin rather than miracles of healing is our greatest need. Have you come to Jesus to meet this need in your life? If not, do so today.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, open my eyes to see the greater needs in my life. Amen.