John 5:15
“The man departed, and told the Jews that it was Jesus, which had made him whole.”
One of the more disturbing responses to Jesus’ miracles is the story about the man who was crippled for thirty-eight years. For thirty-eight years this man was confined to a bed. For thirty-eight years this man was totally dependent upon others taking him places. Yet, when Jesus passed by his way, He had compassion on him and healed him.
The troubling part of this story comes after the healing. The man picked up his bed and was carrying it on the sabbath day when the Pharisees rebuked him for doing so. He told them that the man who healed him told him to pick up his bed and walk. They questioned him who this man was to no avail. After leaving the Pharisees, this man saw Jesus again who told him to go and sin no more. It was after this that this man went back to the Pharisees to tell them that it was Jesus who healed him. What a poor way to thank Jesus for healing him by reporting him to the men who wanted to destroy Him. There are several parts to this story that I believe we can learn from so that we don’t make the same mistake of having a troubled gratitude.
First, this man had poor discernment when it came to reporting to the Pharisees. He had to know that the Pharisees were looking for something to accuse Jesus of, yet his poor discernment caused him to give the enemies of Jesus ammunition to destroy Him. When someone does something good for you, don’t have poor discernment and help their enemies to destroy them. I have watched many church members who have been helped by a pastor help those who are trying to destroy him. What a poor way to show someone gratitude for what they have done for you. I’m not talking about covering sin, but I’m talking about being grateful enough not to spend time with the enemies of those who have helped you. Have better discernment and avoid those who would destroy those who have helped you.
Second, this man didn’t verbally thank Jesus for healing him. You would think this man would verbally thank Jesus over and over again after being confined to a bed for thirty-eight years, but he didn’t. It is very troubling that many people don’t know how to give verbal gratitude to those who do special things for them. A verbal, “Thank you,” shouldn’t be hard to give when someone has been kind to you.
Third, this man didn’t follow Jesus after he had been healed. You never again hear about this man in the ministry of Jesus. If any person should have followed Jesus all the way to the cross, it should have been this man. When someone helps you, it wouldn’t hurt you to help them with their endeavors. A little gratitude in this area is the least you can do.
Friend, gratitude is quickly becoming a lost grace in our society. Parents, be sure to teach your children to be verbally grateful when someone does something for them. This should not be a choice. Moreover, you need to be sure that you don’t have a troubled gratitude in your life. Don’t be like this man whose gratitude to Jesus was very troubling, but show your gratitude to those who do things for you. Never let anyone be able to say about you that you are not grateful.