You Can

 November 16, 2024

Can you imagine being crippled for 38 years because you believed a lie? That’s what had happened to a man Jesus met one day in the city of Jerusalem.

“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked. And that day was the Sabbath.” —John 5:5-9 

Jesus asked what must have sounded like a ridiculous question: “Do you want to be well?” It may have sounded ridiculous, but Jesus hit the nail on the head. Instead of answering the question, the man made excuses. Don’t judge him too harshly; we do the same thing all the time. We give Jesus excuses for why we can’t do this or that. What if we simply took him at his word, got up and did what he said we can do? What would change in your life if you believed Jesus instead of the lie that says, “I can’t?”

Later in this incident, Jesus tells us that “I can’t” isn’t just an admission of inadequacy; it’s a sin to be forsaken (5:14). Today would be a good day to listen to Jesus and say, “With your help, I can!” Paul did it (Philippians 4:13–“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me”). You can do it, too.