What's with the mat? -- RSQUBF discussion forum

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Date Posted: 10:13:42 11/08/04 Mon
Author: Mike K.
Subject: What's with the mat?
In reply to: Brother in Christ 's message, "Re: John 5 - "Pick up your mat and walk"" on 09:11:56 11/08/04 Mon

Yes UBF always comes out of nowhere with these things. There is so much you will only hear in UBF. This is one of the passages that always confused me, and still does. Briefly can someone tell me why Jesus says to pick up your mat? I just don'y buy UBF's interpretation. Please help.

Frankly put, it's not about what is your mat, the focus, the emphasis is wrong.

It's not about "Look at what burden you have", but about "Jesus can help you overcome the situation. Jesus gives you a new life."
The mat wasn't important for the cripple any more, the mat, which was the person's environment, the person's confine, was now subject to the person, through the grace of Jesus.
Jesus is greater than the circumstance, all things are subject under His feet.
Jesus gives freedom, Jesus makes us victorious.

... do you see it?
In my interpretation, the emphasis is not on "the mat, YOUR mat" but on Jesus, the One and Only Saviour!

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