This message revisits the story of Jesus healing a man who had been lame for 38 years, emphasizing how Jesus bypasses expected methods to bring about miraculous healing and deeper spiritual transformation. Rather than waiting for a turn in the healing pool, the man obeys Jesus’ command to “pick up your mat and walk,” showing that true restoration begins with trust and obedience. The message challenges listeners to examine whether they respond to God’s direction with unquestioning faith like the man did, or whether they try to negotiate their way around obedience. It also stresses that the healing Jesus offers goes beyond the physical—it’s about the healing of the soul, a hope that endures beyond temporary solutions.

We are encouraged to continue living as people who declare through word and action that Jesus is where hope is found, just as the healed man did when he boldly shared the name of the one who changed his life forever..”