Gospel Reflections #56: Why don't we Poke the Holes?

John 5:8 Rise up, my son. Carry the floor and walk."

These are the words of Jesus to a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years and living in misery. Can we believe and act on these words when we have suffered for 38 years and had an experience that never changed?

We may be pulled by our own experiences. We may only come up with excuses for not being able to do something. When we are asked to take an unexpected action and follow through, we may feel that we cannot act unless there is even a glimmer of hope.

It is not so much a hope for the result of being healed, but a hope that comes from trust in the person who is speaking. If this person says it, I will try it, even if it is impossible! When we are able to believe in something, we will feel a strength within us that we have never felt before. To be able to believe is already a miracle!

This man, despite his 38 years of experience, may have put 0.1% of his hope in Jesus, even out of desperation. Where did that hope come from? Indeed the hope came because he heard about Jesus and was able to know and accept who Jesus is.

We too often rely on our own experiences and values, but the more we know who Jesus is, the more we want to follow, believe, and obey. That's where we see hope. That's why we can boldly take our first steps!

Once we take the first step of trusting, Jesus will do the rest.

I know we have thick walls painted with impossibilities, but why don't we poke holes in these thick walls with our little trust and hope in Jesus?

No matter how small the hole is, God will work on the hole made with trust and hope and break down the wall of impossibility and joy is prepared for us!

Jesus does not need how much faith we put in, Jesus just needs just one little hole that He can enter in.

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This Gospel Reflections page is written by Masae San, a devoted student of the Bible who passionately embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She shares her daily reflections on the Gospels as a way to reach out to others and spread the message of Jesus. We're sharing her message here so that you too can experience the joy that comes from the Gospel that has filled her heart.