Week 1 | Day 5 | In the World, but Not of the World

Command:

Love one another. John 15:17 (NIV)

Read:

Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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?” “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me. Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.” At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked. John 5:1-8 (NIV)

Reflect:

The pool of Bethesda reminds me of my life before Christ. I survived eight divorces growing up (most before the age of 18) and was looking for anything to fill the God-shaped void in my life and be healed. When I came to Christ and he healed my broken heart, I did what the invalid man did after he was healed. I picked up my mat and walked away from those that still needed the healing and restoration that only Jesus can give. It was far more comfortable to stay in my youth group “Holy Huddle” than reach out to the world around me, looking for those that needed to hear the Good News.

Years later, I’ve come to realize that being in the world, but not of the world does not mean we just look upon others with sympathy because they don’t believe in Jesus. Rather, disciples of Jesus, we are called to look upon the others with empathy. Sympathy says I feel sorry for your circumstances. Empathy says “I hurt with you and will do whatever it takes to help you through the process of healing. I will be there for you.” This is how Jesus related to the man at the pool. 

You may be the only Christ-follower that people in your circle may encounter. In a world that could care less, we are called to care more.

React:

What are some practical ways I can practice the ways of Jesus with empathy rather than sympathy?

Pray:

Jesus, please help my life reflect your agape love in deed rather than words.