Here a great number of disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:3, 5, 6 NIV, 10-12-11)

What about the others? Apparently, Jesus stepped over and around all these other disabled people, healed this one, then tiptoed past all the others on His way out.

And the question is, Why? Why not the others? Why not any of the many except this one guy?

Surely there were younger ones who could have had longer, more productive lives and ministries.

Surely He could have found more than one equally as worthy as this one (though John gives no indication the dude had any qualities earning the healing except being sick).

So why this guy. We have no idea. But I know one thing the story teaches me. Gratitude.

See, I’m no more worthy of salvation than this guy was worthy of being healed. My one qualification was that I couldn’t do it without Jesus, just like this guy.

And just like this guy, Jesus picked me out of the crowd and chose me for salvation and service, over people who would seem more worthy and more qualified.

I don’t know why. But I sure am grateful.

[Father, thank you for choosing me.]