By Mike Caton

John 5:13 – The man who was healed had no idea who it was, for Jesus had slipped away into the crowd that was there.

The man Jesus healed had no idea who he was. How is this possible? Would an invalid suddenly pick up his mat because just anyone told him to do it? There must have been some feeling of healing going on, the man must have felt something. But he had no idea who Jesus was. That speaks to the faith of the man who was healed. Sometimes people are so desperate for something that the will grasp on anything. That might put them in a dangerous position, believing anything just because someone has said it, or because you read it somewhere, or because you want to. But there is no denying the miracle, this man who was an invalid was now up and walking.

This also tells us something about Jesus. Though his miracles were done as signs, to point people to the truth, they were not done simply to bolster Jesus’ popularity or ego. Jesus didn’t do things to draw attention to himself, but rather to draw attention to his Father. Jesus never did anything to draw attention to himself. No doubt he could, he had the power and they crowds were always eager to see some miracle. But the things Jesus did were to direct people to the truth and to God. Jesus wanted people to learn about the relationship they could have, that they needed with the Father.

We need to learn to do things that way as well. Jesus will later tell us not to do our good deeds to be seen by men. So often we want others to praise us, we want others to see how good a person we are. Jesus condemned the Pharisees for this attitude. They wanted the praise of men and when they got it, that was all they got. We have a wonderful opportunity now to do many good deeds; to check on our friends and neighbors, to run errands for the elderly, to reach out to the sick and so forth. But don’t ruin it by shining a light on what you are doing. Do it, knowing full well that God sees. And if God sees, that is all that matters.

Father, help me do my good deeds in secret. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Mike Caton is the preacher at Mount Olive Church of Christ in Belhaven. He volunteers at the Ponzer Fire Department and works part time with Hyde County EMS. If you would like to receive daily devotions in your inbox, email mikecaton@centurylink.net.

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