Saying Yes to Change
He has never walked. There are no wheelchairs. The pool is
not ADA compliant. All that exists
here is the mercy of others. We
know of no family members making daily visits. Perhaps they were around buy perhaps not. Day after day, year after year, he
shares in the suffering with others hoping one day to win the angelic lottery.
Today we travel to Jerusalem, to the Pool of Bethesda,
a.k.a. the pool of the sheep-market. When we arrive at the rectangular shaped
pool, we do not notice the glistening water as the sun reflects upon it. What we notice are different levels; parcels
surrounding the pool. What we hear
are the faint moans and groans of the terminally ill. Following the sounds, we become fixated on a great multitude
of impotent folk, of blind, lame, paralyzed, withered, diseased folk. As we try to access what is taking
place here we sense a certain level/degree of anticipation. Further research tells us that all of
these infirmed people are waiting for “divine intervention”…a certain moment
that takes place at a moment no one can predict. At that moment, an angel supernatural arrives in this environment
and “troubles” stirs the water.
Rumor has it that the first sick person to step into the water after
this “stirring” would be made whole of whatever disease they had.
Our eyes well up with tears as we experience compassion for
the sick, empathy for those feeling what we have felt, sympathy for the pain
that we have never sensed.
All of a sudden, the Son of Man; Jesus walks into the
frame. Unnoticed, he walks into
the middle of disease and doubt.
We watch as he is drawn to the man we have been watching. We move closer. As Jesus gets closer to the man, he
pauses, looks at him as if he knows exactly how long he has been there. Then it happens – we can hardly believe
our ears – Jesus asks him if he wants to get better! This paralyzed man – that man who has never been well
– and Jesus says do you want to be
healed?
We think “God helps those that help themselves.” That’s biblical right? Then our spirit re-checks the thought
and points out that what we are thinking is not biblical at all. In fact, it’s opposite of that in God’s
world…God helps those that cannot help themselves.
Why then the question, “do you want to get well”. Then we get it. God doesn’t ask questions because he
lacks information. The question is
a gift to lead our thoughts in the right direction. If the man is healed, what then? Let’s consider the impact of the Lord’s question.
Do you want to leave all your dependencies? Do you want to work all day? Do you want to leave all the excuses
behind and take full responsibility for your life? You see, our desperate prayers to God have a price in their
answer. Do you really want that new and harder job, or is it more
convenient to just complain about the money? Do you want to leave loneliness
behind, and take on the joy and responsibility of a relationship with a person
that will heal your isolation but also force you to give up your selfish
lifestyle? Do you really want to get well? Saying “yes” will lead us to a new revelation – healing is
not in the stirring water at all – being whole comes from living wholly for the
Lord. Though this man never said
“yes”, Jesus knew something about him that we could not see. “Stand up, pick up your mat & walk!” Instantly, the man was healed – he
rolled up his mat and started walking.
This man could not help himself.
Only Christ could make the difference.
Today, each one of us must decide for ourselves if we want
to be made well. It’s a huge
decision when you truly consider the cost. The good news today is that God doesn’t help those that help
themselves; God helps those that cannot help themselves. God offers grace – undeserved
favor. By taking up our mat, we walk away from
illness with a constant reminder of the miracle, rolled up under our arm. Let this be the day you decide that it is time to get well.
