It’s February in Wisconsin.
I’m not gonna lie — sitting poolside somewhere warm and balmy
sounds pretty darn good right now.
However, sitting by a pool for thirty-eight years, hoping for a miracle
probably was pretty darn depressing.
“Do you want to get well?” John 5:6
Jesus directed this question to a man
who had been an invalid for 38 years.
That would be like talking to someone today
who has been in a wheelchair since 1982.
Remember 1982? That was back when Michael Jackson released “Thriller” and thrilled us with the moonwalk. We listened to MJ on newfangled little records called CDs. Ronald Reagan was President and we all went to the movie theaters to see “E.T.” phone home. That was a long time ago.
In 1982, I watched the Brewers play in the World Series while waiting for my first child to arrive. In 38 years, PB and I have had four babies which led to four weddings, and eleven grand babies — a whole new generation. Thirty-eight years is a long time.
Maybe the crippled man didn’t hear the question. It was a “Yes/No” question but he didn’t give Jesus a straight answer. Instead, he wanted to talk about his past 38 miserable years. He had good excuses — no one would help him get into the healing waters, all the other cripples were faster than he was, it was hard lying by the pool every day.
But Jesus didn’t want to hear it.
He told the man to get up, clean up, and go home.
“Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!” John 5:8
Sometimes Jesus heals people, whether they want it or not.
This week’s reading: John 5 (deeper study on 5:5-15)
Next week’s reading: John 6 (deeper study on 6:5-15)
a small drop of ink 
Whoa! You might be skating on thin ice there! ‘Sometimes Jesus heals people, whether they want it or not.’ !? So much for his faith made him whole. (How I wish we were talking in person about this! I so appreciate seeing your view of the Word!)
Yes, I suppose it’s a stretch. It struck me that he never asked for healing and didn’t even have any idea who Jesus was, so what did the man have faith in? It seems like the power of Jesus’ words “Get up” had the creative power (like in creation) to make it happen regardless of the man’s faith or lack of faith. I love hearing you call me out! I need that!
Oh goodness. I was sincerely not calling you out. I get frustrated by the exclusive teaching that we must have faith to see miracles (which seems often to be teaching in the faith of having faith). Of course I know the many references to faith, and know it is good and a strong key. Nonetheless, you’ve gone deeper than that and helped show that Jesus is bigger than our faith or expectations. This post stirred my heart. Thanks, Dinah.
Perhaps this man’s healing (as in the set of ten lepers) was due to obedience (yes, I know, faith in action ~sigh~). Or maybe it was due to Jesus’ creative power! 😊
Ah, yes! He did have to make the effort to get up.
Later, Jesus found the man in the temple and told him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (v. 14) That’s it! What do you make of that? There is no record of gratitude; in fact, the man rats on Jesus to the religious authorities.
Also wondering why Jesus picked this man to heal among the multitude at the pool. So much to think about in this passage.
Wonderful message Dinah.
It is also a message in a 5 day study I found on my smart phone BIBLE ap. titled “DON’T LOOK BACK”
IT is a wonderful connection to your message.
Hope You have A Blessed Day
FYI
The bible ap I use is called
“HOLY BIBLE”