Who Is This Fellow?, March 10
Daily Reflections from Inside the Cancer Journey
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Written by Thomas Sherrod
“So they asked him, ‘Who is this fellow who told you to pick [your mat] up and walk?’” (John 5:12 NIV)
Thirty-eight years ago, I was thirty years old. How old were you thirty-eight years ago? John 5:2-12 records the story of a paralyzed man lying by a healing pool for thirty-eight years. That is a long time! It was said an angel would stir the waters, and the first one into the water when it was moved would be healed. Jesus sees the man lying by the pool. He asks, “Do you want to be healed?” Of course, the man did. But the paralytic explains that when the waters were stirred someone always beat him into the waters. Part of me wants to sympathize with the unfortunate man. The judgmental part of me says, “Come on, man!” It is hard for me to believe that after thirty-eight years he couldn’t find some way to get in the pool. I get lost in an avalanche of questions. Then, I realize this story is not about the paralyzed man. It is about Jesus. Jesus simply says to the man, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”
Jesus picks one of the toughest cases to heal. The people of the village could not ignore this miracle, right? They question the former paralytic, “Who is this fellow who told you to pick up the mat and walk?” Isn’t this the real point of the story?
Cancer invaded your body. You can still hear the doctor saying the word “cancer.” You remember feeling shock and numbness. Maybe you talked to family and friends and searched the Internet for the latest information. There may have been (and still may be) a stack of decisions and questions to be addressed. Cancer may seem like all you think about.
Fighting a life-threatening disease can be consuming. Understandably, you may lose focus and forget you are part of a much larger story. The Gospel of John highlights many healings and miracles. The healing of the paralytic by the pool is just one. Each miracle reveals Jesus to be the long-awaited Messiah. Everyone knew the paralytic who had lain by the pool for thirty-eight years. Imagine the town’s amazement as they see him walking the streets!
Sometimes it is hard to look beyond our difficulties and see God’s hand at work. Illness can dominate our thinking. May you never forget God is still molding, shaping, and fashioning you for His Kingdom. It is easier to proclaim faith when life is going smoothly. It is more difficult—yet more meaningful—to be a living witness when we are in the middle of a firefight. Remember, “…the battle is not yours, but God’s” (2 Chronicles 20:15b NIV).
Pray: Lord, please help me to keep my eyes on You. Be the rock of my salvation. Give me eyes to see You at work in the midst of this battle with cancer. Amen.
Your Turn:
Ask God to quicken your awareness of His presence as He shepherds you through this season.
Consider how your witness has become more powerful as you cope with this cancer.
Thomas W. Sherrod, Cancer Survivor
Tom is a retired hospital chaplain who works part time for Atrium Wake Forest Baptist Health System in North Carolina. He organized and facilitated a cancer support group for twenty years as part of his hospital ministry. He is married for forty-four years and enjoys his three daughters, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren. He is a recent survivor of prostate cancer and is immensely thankful for all of God's grace and provisions through it all.
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