John 5:10 Party Poopers

Must you be reminded that it is Sabbath? You are not allowed to carry your mat today!

Observation

A man who had been crippled for 38 years is healed when Jesus comes to the pool at Bethesda. Interestingly Jesus heals only him, even though crowds of people line the pools. I don't have any insight into why it was just him, except that we can predict that God is unpredictable. But I digress.

Jesus doesn't mix any mud together and place it on his body, he doesn't ask about the man's faith, He just asks the cripple if he is there hoping to get healed, then after the cripples explanation, Jesus tells him to get up, take his mat, and walk. Of course the man is happy to do so, he has been crippled for 38 years and is now healed.  There is only one problem, however, it is the sabbath and the man is carrying his mat. The Jewish leaders jumped all over the breaking of this sabbath rule and interrogated the ex-cripple about this miracle. It begs the question, why did Jesus tell the man to pick up his mat? He knew that the Jewish leaders would be offended, so why did he do it. I think it was to show the true state of their heart. They didn't love God or God's people, they loved control.

Application

Has this ever happened to you? Something good happens to someone else and they are excited, but you draw attention to something that isn't right instead of celebrating with them. It is party pooper syndrome and it is contagious. Once you have been bitten by the bug of negativity it is very hard to get back to an attitude of gratitude. Joyce Meyer wrote that "maintaining the right attitude is easier than regaining the right attitude". We can tell when someone is negative and critical around us, but we have a difficult time seeing it in ourselves. We feel justified because of our circumstances. However, justification has little to do with it. The truth is negativity leads to a miserable life. I don't know about you, but I don't want to live that way. 

Prayer

Father, thank You for Your joy. Please help me to maintain a right attitude in all situations. I realize I live in a fallen world that breeds negativity, but greater are You in me than the infectious negativity of the world. I praise You for who You are.