John 5:6   “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?’”Have you ever felt stuck, praying for a barrier to be removed but seeing no change? It can be frustrating, but what if that barrier is actually a pathway to your greatest blessing?

Sometimes, it may seem like God isn’t listening or doesn’t care, but the truth is that there is always a bridge between the new beginnings God wants for us and the blessings He has in store.

A powerful example of this can be found in the story of Jesus healing a lame man in John chapter five.  In this chapter, Jesus poses a seemingly insensitive question to the man who had been an invalid for 38 years: “Do you want to get well?” At first glance, it may appear unkind, but if we dig deeper, we can uncover the wisdom behind this question.

Take a moment to reflect on the barriers in your own life that prevent you from moving forward. What excuses do you lean on? What is it that you truly desire God to do in your life?  As we revisit this story in John 5, we discover the reasons for the man’s condition and as we shift our perspective, we begin to see what empowered Jesus to perform the miracle.When the light of God shines into our lives, it illuminates our barriers and reveals them as bridges to blessings. Once the lame man recognized who Jesus was, he no longer needed to rely on others for help. His disability became an opportunity for him to experience the transformative power of God.

Light brings clarity and enables us to see our obstacles as God’s opportunities.  Continuing in John 5, we encounter a cautionary message about the danger of religious practices replacing a genuine relationship with God. Jesus admonishes the religious crowd, telling them that studying the Scriptures alone is not enough. We must seek a personal connection with the God of the Word, allowing His truth to transform our lives.

The Bible was not given to us merely to increase our knowledge, but to bring about meaningful change. Let the Word of God guide you to the God of the Word as you follow the light.

Click here to immerse yourself in the fullness of John chapter five.