Five Minute Friday: crowd

[Five Minute Friday is a thing where a group of bloggers all gang together to write for 5, unedited minutes on one word. To get away from the picture-perfect, unrealistic. To be practical. As one of my 2014 goals, I decided to give it a go. Maybe you'll have fun with some of the posts and try it to!]

GO

I read the story just this morning in my quiet time, so I find it timely that today's word goes along with it.

Jesus was in Jerusalem by a place called the Sheep Gate pool, or Bethesda. While he was walking the bank he met a man who'd been an invalid for 38 years. Thirty-eight. It doesn't say what he had, just that he'd been sick for a looong time, and he needed healing. Jesus had compassion and with a word the man was able to get up and walk. His life was completely changed.

Just like almost every other healing story in the New Testament, those Jewish leaders were out to trip Jesus, and asked the man who healed him on the Sabath. But get this part: The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there. [John 5:13]

Go back a second. This is the guy who had lived 38 years ruled by sickness. And He had no idea who just changed his life because of the crowd!

I found it parallel to my own heart, tho. I needed healing, too. Jesus, with a word, healed my broken, lost soul and changed my life forever. Eternal forever. But so often, I'm so self-focused that Jesus gets lost in the crowd. He tries to show me wonders, but I dismiss them in the business. He tries to speak to me, but it's hushed in all the other voices. He wants me to walk with Him, but I trail along behind others. 

He had no idea who it was. Recognize Jesus here. Know who it is. 

Don't slip Jesus into the crowd. He is everywhere, evident in everything. Stop. See Him. Thank Him. Walk with Him. Push through the crowd to stay by His side. 

STOP