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Pick Up Your Mat - Pastor Ben Kellert

Sunday, October 20th, 2024

 

John 5:1-9a  "Some time later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed.  5 One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” 8 Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” 9 At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked."

Bethesda: House of Mercy or House of Pity

  • the pool was 360 ft L, 130 ft W, 75 ft D! (Huge!)
  • a monument of wealth and prosperity

Why would Jesus want to go here?

Insight #1 - What Jesus Saw

  • Jesus saw the man lying there (such a busy place but He noticed him!)

a) You're not alone - It's not just you.  So many people need a touch or a word from Jesus.

b) Jesus sees.  He is not oblivious to our pain.

Insight #2 - What Jesus Asked

> Do You Want to Get Well??

a) Admitting we're hurt - we have a need

b) Choosing healing over hurt

Insight #3 - What Jesus Said

"Get up! Pick up your mat and Walk"!

  • No more excuses!  (The man with the mat said: I have no help...someone always goes in before me...vs 7:  “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.”)

Common excuses:

#1 I'm friendless - no one cares about me...

#2 I'm flailing - I keep messing up

#3 I'm frustrated (I can't, I always...self-defeating thoughts)

No more... "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk"  This man's healing arrived along with a personal encounter with Jesus!

Pick up your mat - it's time for your day of encounter!

 

*Next, watch the replay of this service "Pick Up Your Mat"!