Spared to Spur

Today’s reading: John 5:1-23

But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” - John‬ ‭5:14‬

At first, this almost seems like Jesus is being insensitive. I mean, this guy has been suffering from paralysis for 38 years!

You almost assume Jesus would say, “Man, I am so excited for you! You should register for that 5K next weekend. Enjoy!”

Yet Jesus goes straight after the most important thing. He encourages the man to repent (literally, to return), to stop sinning. He warns the man of a future judgment.

He essentially says, “Hell is permanent. Paralysis is not. Hell is far worse, because it won’t stop.”

If God allows us to live another day, it is an opportunity to draw close to Him. Being physically restored here is not the end game for Christians, even if God does the miraculous in your life (sparing you).

Jesus always spares us to spur us toward a better life (see Hebrews 10:28). A life with Him. A life that looks beyond our present reality.