The Question
John 5:1-23
In this section of the scripture, Jesus is in Jerusalem for a feast. The following describes the situation:
“Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which is Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Here a great number of disabled people use 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 5:2-5 NIV
What a terrific question. The paralyzed man had been in his situation for a long time…thirty-eight years. No matter what the quality of his life he was used to it. He may have subsisted as a beggar. We are not told that, but it would not be a big stretch to think that is what he did for funds.
The idea of becoming well must have been foreign to him…and perhaps just a bit threatening. We do not like change…are uncomfortable with it even if it helps us. If the man became whole, his entire lifestyle would have to change. He would have to be responsible in an entirely different way…definitely for himself and possibly for a family as well.
His spiritual and emotional being would change as well. Take it from a person who has been both very healthy for a long period of time and who has been less healthy for a long period of time. First, it is extremely difficult to accept not being healthy. It is difficult to find self-worth in something other than a job. I did not realize that I had received my sense of worth through my work so much as when I was unable to do it anymore. It took a long time to come to terms in a semi-emotionally and spiritually way…and I still work on. It is easy to slide downhill.
And I think if Jesus were here he would ask us as individuals, as families, as communities, as a nation, and as a world, “Do you want to get well?”
If we do, there are a lot of responsibilities that we need to pick up and do.
God, help us decide to get well…spiritually, emotionally, physically and to accept the accompanying responsibilities. Amen
Carol
Bible Breath: Help us God / To become well
