"Take up your bed."

John 5:8-12, Jesus said to him, “Get up, take up your bed, and walk.” And at once the man was healed, and he took up his bed and walked. Now that day was the Sabbath. So the Jews said to the man who had been healed, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not lawful for you to take up your bed.” But he answered them, “The man who healed me, that man said to me, ‘Take up your bed, and walk.’ ”

It’s astonishing what can be done in the name of religion. Jesus had just healed a man who was crippled for thirty-eight years simply by his command to him to take up his bed and walk. Those watching him were blinded by this astonishing miracle, only able to see what they were looking for. They were determined to build a case against Jesus, and able to completely ignore what an amazing healing had just taken place. What blindness has religion given me, and where do I need his healing touch?

We thank You that relationship is more important than religion; stir our affection for You, Lord Jesus!

ESV Lectionary