Get Up

Get Up by John Mc Donald “One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” 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” (John 5:5-9). Everyone falls down. Everyone. There is nothing uncommon or wrong with being down on your game. It’s what takes place next that’s important. I hope I’m not alone when I say I’ve fallen down so hard—it’s a blur until I find myself crawling in the mud. When we find ourselves in the mud, we could choose to make excuses or blame others for our current condition. However, we are not made to dwell in the past complaining about how we got so low. We are not made to wallow in the mud. Persecutions, trials, tribulations, and tests are guaranteed. However, our reactions, when chosen wisely, can lead to glorious victory. How many times have you fallen down? More importantly, how many times have you gotten back up? That is what counts in the end. Fall down 100 times. Get up 100 times. If you fail, own that failure—embrace it, learn from it, and then try again. This time make sure Jesus is with you. “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain” (Psalm 127:1). Once Jesus is with you, you will succeed. “Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57). Have you fallen down so hard that you stay there, flying under the radar, just surviving day to day, paralyzed by the fear of failure? Has living in failure for so long become so comfortable you become deaf to that low whisper asking, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6). Living comfortably in a rut is not living at all. The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth of the ground. “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you” (Isaiah 60:1). Quit living in defeat and GET UP! “We are more than conquerors through him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). When Peter saw Jesus walking across the sea, their eyes met and Jesus commanded, “Come” (Matthew 14:29). Then Peter stepped out of the safety of the boat. We have all fallen. Some of us may still be down. Like Peter, when Jesus calls, are you going to boldly step out of your comfort zone? Those who are down and not ready to get up may say, “Peter stepped out on the water and failed.” But when Peter cried, “Lord, save me,” Jesus immediately reached out his hand (Matthew 14:30). Peter focused on Jesus and succeeded. As soon as he focused on the wind, his surroundings, and the other men in the boat, he failed. Who are you worried about failing—Jesus or the men too scared to get out of the boat? You can’t make fun of Peter from the safety of the boat. He tried and when he failed, he knew where to look for help getting back up. That knowledge, when acted upon, is the beginning of victory. James, the brother of Jesus, wrote, “You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Both faith and works act in unison towards completion. Salvation cannot be earned. There is nothing we can do on our own. It is a gift of grace from God that has to be received in faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:8-10). The basis of salvation is grace alone through faith, with works not the basis, but the necessary results: Grace x Faith = Salvation + Works The gospels are full examples of Jesus giving simple commands to test someone’s faith. While Peter was in the boat, Jesus said, “Come” (Matthew 14:29). To the man born blind, Jesus said, “Go to Siloam and wash” (John 9:11). Lazarus’ dead and stinking body was sealed in the tomb and Jesus commanded, “Come out” (John 11:43). Jesus told the man with a withered hand, “Stretch out your hand” (Matthew 12:13). Jesus told His first disciples, “Follow me” (Matthew 4:19). Jesus’ disciple carried word to blind Bartimaeus. “Get up; he is calling you” (Mark 10:49). When a widow’s only son died, Jesus said, “Young man, I say to you, arise” (Luke 7:14). Peter walked on water, the blind man received sight, Lazarus walked out of the tomb, a man’s hand was healed on the Sabbath, fishermen laid down their nets and changed the world, Bartimaeus was immediately healed and followed Jesus and the widow’s son GOT UP! Do you know anyone else who GOT UP? Jesus Christ endured being beaten, tortured, and crucified to the point of death as the ultimate sacrifice to pay our sin debt—past, present, and future—so you and I may not grow weary or faint hearted during our tribulations. He was placed in a tomb, dead but not broken. Three days later, defeating death, he GOT UP, guaranteeing glorious victory to those who steadfastly endure and follow him. His free gift is outstretched waiting for you to take hold. There is nothing you can do to earn it; neither will your silent intention bring it about. In faith, walk across the impossible, open your eyes, walk out of whatever tomb you’re currently in, expose your weaknesses not caring who sees, lay down your current life, accept His healing and GET UP and follow Jesus. “Now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).