John 5:1-9 After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.2 Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches.3 In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water.4 For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had.5 And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years.6 When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?7 The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.8 Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk.9 And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day was the Sabbath.
This points us to something relevant. There has been a tremendous moving for several weeks and especially this past week during revival. The Word of the Lord was moving among us. The question for you today is have you made a move in your spiritual life?
The man in this portion of scripture was paralyzed and had been for 38 years. Others who were sick were there in the same place. They were in Jerusalem—the right place to be. We’ve been in the right place being in services this week and today. The people were at a pool named Bethesda. All the people there had great needs; their hope was the same. They waited for the moving of the water so they could get there first to be healed. The Lord stepped into their midst, and they didn’t know it. This man had tried to get to the water but someone else stepped in front of him each time. We’ve seen the moving of God’s water by his presence among us.
Jesus asked him Wilt thou be made whole? He made a move toward the man. God made the first move in sending his Son. Jesus died and rose again for us. Jesus is still moving in the midst. All heaven moves. Look at your spiritual life. Are you still the same person you were a week ago? If you are, no movement has been made on your part. It’s not God’s fault. He knows our spiritual paralysis; he knows if there are blind spots or if we are holding back. In all this moving, if any of us are still in the same shape as before revival it is our own fault.
You saw others move. What about you? You can’t get by on the movement of others. This man wasn’t healed because he couldn’t move. Are you still waiting on a moving? I could go through many reasons why people wait, but it boils down to this: when we respond to HIS movement to us, we will experience it. We must make a move. We’re quick to move to a sale at the store, but when it comes to moving for the Lord, we want to wait. You need to respond to the moving of waters already happening or you’ll miss the boat. If you’ve not experienced a change, if you’ve not experienced revival, if you’ve not evaluated yourself and re-committed yourself to the Lord, you need to make a move yourself. God could whip us good for not moving and never give us another chance. He’d be just in doing so.
Jesus asked the man Wilt thou be made whole? The man said he couldn’t make it to the moving water on time. Jesus responded by saying Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. He didn’t say wait a while and take up his bed. He told him to move now. I’ve heard people say “I would but….” The one who saved you can revive you. Waiting any longer is vain. He’s not telling us to wait. He’s telling us to rise—MOVE. Quit making excuses and do what the Lord says. We know what we need. If we go back to what we had before revival, it has been in vain for all of us. Sure we had great services, but we are not spectators. Did you move? Who are we to wait on the Lord to do more? Jesus says rise and walk. Quit waiting and move yourself.
The only movement that is keeping you from a spiritual revival and change in your life is not a movement from God but from yourself. When you get on the move, God will move. Quit waiting. Start moving!
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 