Today's Scripture Reflection
Peggy Eastman, Poet-in-Residence
When Jesus saw him and knew that he had been lying there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
John 5:6

The story of Jesus healing an ill man who had been lying by a pool next to the sheep gate in Jerusalem for 38 years is well known. The pool, called Bethzatha (Bethesda) had five porticoes, in which lay a multitude of blind, lame, and paralyzed persons. This pool was thought to have healing properties when an angel came and stirred up the water, so there were hordes of sick people trying to get to the pool when its water was moving.

When Jesus asked this man if he wanted to be healed, instead of immediately saying “Yes!” the sick man gave a somewhat whiny response: “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is troubled, and while I am going, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your pallet and walk.” And at once the man was healed and did just that.

Sadly, some sick people may actually want to stay sick (even if unconsciously) – victims of the condition known as learned helplessness. When you are well, you have to accept adult responsibilities and adult behavior and work. In this story, it is Jesus who empowered the sick man to get well, but he had to want to get well.

Jesus knew that even though he had been there for 38 years, the sick man by the pool was not a malingerer. He really did want to get well. He had simply fallen into a negative pattern of inactivity and lack of hope due to the challenges of making it through the multitude into the healing pool at the right time. This man needed healing of the soul as well as the body.

With Jesus, we are able to rise above our own shortcomings and regain a sense of self-efficacy and hope. If we make an effort, Jesus will strengthen us and empower us. Even though the sick man by the pool answered Jesus with a whiny complaint that sounded like an excuse, Jesus knew the man's heart, and he was healed.

God bless you!
Peggy
An Image to Inspire
Let Us Pray
Written by Peggy Eastman
Lord, you know how prone we are to make excuses for ourselves when life is hard. Sometimes that is much easier than shouldering our adult responsibilities. Please empower us to be well physically, mentally and spiritually so that we can serve You to the very best of our abilities. We know that Your wish for us is to be whole in every way so that we can be Your eyes, ears and hands on earth and serve those who need us in Your name. Amen.
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