Here is a man who has been disabled for thirty-eight years. And with seven words, Jesus restores him to wholeness. So the man does as he was told — he walks off carrying his bed.

Is that awesome, or what?

What. That’s what it was to those who valued the letter of the law above the Giver of the law.

“The Jews therefore said unto him that was cured, It is the sabbath day: it is not lawful for thee to carry thy bed” (John 5:10).

Beep! Error! Wrong response!

They absolutely and totally missed it!

Out of tune with God, they couldn’t rejoice in wonder at His love, compassion, and power.

May the Lord open my eyes to His wonders. That ought to cure me of my natural negativity and my ingrained insensitivity.

“But he said unto them, I have meat to eat that ye know not of” (John 4:32).

The disciples experienced in “real time” what I have been reading about. They didn’t know what was coming next. I do know, because I have read it so many times.

So of course they didn’t know how doing the Father’s will was meat to Jesus. Of course they didn’t know that was what sustained Him and energized Him and satisfied Him.

But I know.

And have known for a long time.

So what’s my excuse for not living by that same meat?

Having said that, I declare again my desire and my intent to live by the will of the Father.

What He says, I will do. Where He sends, I will go.

All I ask is that He make it clear to me, that He go with me, and that He empower me.

(Why is that such a scary thing to say?)