A police department in Washington state ordered their employees to undergo a training session on how to safely sit in a chair. The order came after two employees slipped off their rolling desk chairs and fell to the floor, one injuring herself badly enough to miss work.
At first it was just a memo sent out to the 26 employees. The memo provided detailed instructions on sitting down: “Take hold of the arms, get control of the chair, then lower yourself carefully into the seat.” Apparently, the department didn't feel the memo alone was clear enough. So, they went on to schedule a half-hour lesson on the proper way to sit down.
“He failed to stand with Jesus”
It was a tongue-in-cheek lesson on sitting down. But in John 5, a man needed a serious lesson on standing up.
With a simple command from Jesus, the man who had been disabled for 38 years was suddenly able to stand and walk. Shortly after, the religious authorities demanded this man report who had performed this work. After all, no work was to be done on the Sabbath. The man didn’t know who had healed him. But later, when he found it was Jesus, he used his now-working legs to take that information straight to the authorities. He knew there would be consequences if he didn’t.
He received his miracle of standing from Jesus, but then he failed to stand with Jesus.
Stand with Jesus, and support people who do, and it may cost you. But the cost of not standing with Jesus is higher. Jesus said to the man, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” What does this mean? Jesus was warning him that if the man persisted in disowning Jesus before others, Jesus would disown him before God. (See Matthew 10:33.)
Study this story with me on Sunday on campus or online. And don’t forget to spread the word about The Anchor Course, designed to introduce people to the Jesus worth standing with. The Course begins in two weeks.
--Tom
Sign up here to receive Tom Goodman’s weekly devotional in your email inbox. Tom serves as pastor at Hillcrest Church in Austin, Texas. His sermons are available on YouTube and the HillcrestToGo Podcast and you can find him on Facebook and Twitter.