THE MAN WITH AN INFIRMITY OF 38 YEARS 2: THE SYSTEM 1

Image Credit: Shanghai Jazz

For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water was made well of whatever disease he had Jn 5:4

There are 2 principal systems referenced in the scriptures and they are the Old and the New systems, otherwise, the New and Old Covenants (Testaments). These systems played out in the story of the man with an infirmity for 38 years.

THE OLD SYSTEM

This system was based on the law which was delivered through Moses ‘for the law was given by Moses…’ Jn 1:17.

       It was a temporary grace provision given till the fullness be revealed

The law was intended to focus on Grace (Jesus) though represented in types and forms, it was a shadow of that which was to come, Heb 12:1-2. Grace was a central theme in the old system, but the people missed Him (they couldn’t see this reality). He was never their focus, they instead chose representations, thinking they were glorifying God. Such was and still is the old system.

People who lived in the old system focused on messengers, events, timelines, and objectification

In this particular story that happened in Bethesda (House of Grace, Mercy, Goodness), an angel moved the water at a particular season, and then there was healing for the first person to get in. Please note: though an angel was involved in this process of healing, the angel wasn't supposed to be the focus (…that the exceeding greatness of the power may be of God and not from ourselves 2 Corr 4:7b).

The meaning of Angel is messenger, so the angel was just the messenger, not the message, remember, the message is always greater than the messenger, just as the treasure is always more important than the vessel. 

God is the focus of/in the entire scripture, however, the error of the Old Testament folks was that they often glorified events, personalities, and timing around the message and forgo the message in the process. That was why they used to miss God in the long run,

      the messenger becomes the message and the message is lost

There are people that live by this system today, though God is ever-present and available to them. They prefer mediums, they get distracted by the blessings of God which they eventually glorify. Some glorify pastors and servants of God; some, attributes of the faith (faith, speaking in tongues), some, objects, some, religious meetings, and some, programs but relegate fellowship.

    You can be in the house of grace and still, live by the old system. 

What representation have you chosen in place of God today? what image have you exalted or are exalting, what vessel of grace has taken over 'His grace' position?

Remember, it wasn't about the angel moving the water but about the message (Jesus) whom we will talk about in the next post.

You can send me a personalized mail via akinyemiwande1@gmail.com. God bless you