Devotion for September 28, 2008

Timing Is Everything

“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep [Gate] a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had. 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 5:1-9 NKJV)

What a strange thing for our minds to understand. A miracle happened to the first person who stepped into the waters that were stirred. What are we to make of it?

We should understand it was true. The Gospel could never pass as true had the apostle included something that was not verifiable. Surely it was well known to those who lived in the region.

Therefore, not questioning the validity of what the text proclaims, we can see that timing is everything. Like the Gospel there is a day of salvation, and this is the day if you hear His word (Heb 4:6-7). The man who was healed would not have been so had he not been in the right place at the right time. Of course God orchestrated all of that, but still it is true that timing is everything.

Therefore, let us sow the Gospel seed always as far and wide as we can. We do not know the timing of things, but we can be sure they will not hear without a preacher! Remember timing is everything so serve the Lord today. Amen.