Full Circle

For this reason the Jews persecuted Jesus and sought to kill Him because He had done these things on the Sabbath. 

Thus ends the story of the man by the pool of Bethesda, whom Jesus healed. (John 5:1-16)

It's the story of a healing, of course, but it's much more. It's a story that shows how religious leaders of the day held to their beliefs and their control even though the very Son of God was persecuted because of it. They were blinded by their rules and regulations. They didn't understand how restrictive their rules were and that God doesn't need rules. Maybe they were afraid to turn loose of their control, because... well, who knows what could happen? 

People might follow God instead of them. People might find their own way to God and leave these leaders to the side. People might not follow the prescribed order of things and there would be "chaos," at least in their eyes. They didn't understand that God is a God of order. 

Fast forward about 2,000 years. 

I have a little Pentecostal bent so I can say it this way: A church "service" is underway. The worship leader is doing well, the people are responding, the Spirit of God is busy working in their hearts. The song ends, the MC walks up on stage and quenches the Spirit. He says something like "Give God a hand" or "Thank you, musicians." "It's now time to take up tithes and offerings." 

And on the script rolls, from one part to another, uninterrupted by the Spirit of God. He won't force His way, so people are left with unfinished business in their prayers. 

These leaders are blinded by their rules and regulations. They don't understand how restrictive their rules are and that God doesn't need rules. Maybe they are afraid to turn loose of their control because... well, who knows what could happen? 

People might follow God instead of them. People might find their own way to God and leave these leaders to the side. People might not follow the prescribed order of things and there would be "chaos," at least in their eyes. They didn't understand that God is a God of order.

You know what I am saying. We have come full circle. 

But maybe it's not just the leaders. Maybe we should each check ourselves to see if we are simply following the rules or if we are following the Spirit of God. Those two are not always the same. Now more than ever, we need to make sure we can not only hear God's direction but take it.