"Pick It Up!" 

Jesus Christ was and will always be outstanding! We are constantly reminded as we study His life of what a phenomenal representative He was of His Father. Jesus would be the One every one of us Pastors would want on our ministry team. Always obedient, always kind, always merciful and always right on time. 

Recently, while studying the 5th chapter of St. John, several issues caught my attention. I would like to share with you some components of this remarkable portion of scripture.We begin the journey with the Lord entering Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. Upon His arrival, He passes the pool which was surrounded by five porches. Disabled people would wait for the water to be stirred by the angels. In so doing, if they got to the water they would be healed from their infirmity. In this particular encounter, Jesus had an appointment with a paralyzed man.

Now here he was in a condition, the Bible states, for 38 years. He lies in the covered area, surrounded by the five colonnades. This representing two things; the five-fold ministry and also grace. It was no accident that there was 5 porches. However, on that day this man was in the presence of the epitome of grace and also the total embodiment of ministry. Jesus Christ was in the midst, the "I AM" came to visit this crippled man.  

Upon their encounter, Jesus asks the question, "Do you want to get well?" The gentleman really does not give a direct response to the question. He simply puts the responsibility of his lack of healing on the fact that no one is able to help him into the pool. As if to totally disregard his statement, the Lord tells him, "Get up. Pick up your mat and walk."

The Bible then states; At once, the man was cured, he picked up his mat and walked. Following this event, the man then runs into the Jewish leaders who were very well versed with his condition. Were they excited? Were they encouraging? Were they even happy? No, they were not. All they could focus on was their religious piety and vain tradition. They really were angry that Christ did it again.

When nothing else worked for this man, Jesus did. So consequently, they lost another victim who became a victor. He no longer would be bound to their interpretation of the Law, but he would be free to enjoy the presence of the Lord. 

Now, the interesting facet of this story is a little mat. This man was tied to this mat. It is where he spent all of his waking and sleeping moments. He was held to an object no bigger than himself. It held him in its clutches and offered him nothing but a mere existence. However, Jesus made him the master over his mat, gave him a new destiny and allowed him to move away from restrictions.

I find is so very interesting that the Religious Leaders are so upset that he is carrying the very article that carried him. Someone at the end of the day had to pick up that mat and man to get them both home. Their horror was in the fact the crippled man got to be the one to carry himself and the mat home. The religious demons hated the life and joy this man now could enjoy. 

Listen friend, not much has changed. The enemy hated Jesus then and he hates Him now. That means everything associated with Jesus is a threat to his kingdom. Why? Because when people get delivered they put their foot down on the enemy's head. The Lord gives them freedom to move forward in their purpose and they say goodbye to bondage. 

May we all keep bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ, teaching our congregations not to be intimidated by the religious systems of our day. We all know that they exist and they are here to steal our liberty, rob us of our joy and spiritual freedom. May we be sensitive to those mats in our life and when Jesus asks us, "Do you want to get well?", let us say, yes, yes, yes. We want to see our congregations well and our community well. We want to stand in the face of our accuser and announce; "Jesus Christ told me to do this, therefore, I will and intend to see the salvation of the Lord in everything I touch".