"Do You Want to Be Made Well?"
A reading for Tuesday, January 28, 2014: John 5:1-18
“Do you want to be made well?” was the question Jesus asked the man. Perhaps he had his reasons why things had not gone his way? Maybe he was unwilling to face a new reality, even one in which healing would change his life? Perhaps he was afraid, or frustrated and had given up.
Our infirmities are ours. They are the "devil we know," as opposed to the devil we don't. We get used to living without a full life, and recovery seems almost uncomfortable. "What if..." is scary and unknown.
But Jesus says, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” He brings a full life for all who follow. Healing is possible, but we must do our part. There is a part to play by the community. Notice the man by the pool is helped into the water by others. Others are always a part of our recovery. However, there is also something we must do. If we refuse to believe in recovery, it's simply not going to happen.
"Do YOU want to be made well today?"
"Pick up YOUR mat and walk."
Jesus (and the rest of us) are willing to help if you will do your part.
“Do you want to be made well?” was the question Jesus asked the man. Perhaps he had his reasons why things had not gone his way? Maybe he was unwilling to face a new reality, even one in which healing would change his life? Perhaps he was afraid, or frustrated and had given up.
Our infirmities are ours. They are the "devil we know," as opposed to the devil we don't. We get used to living without a full life, and recovery seems almost uncomfortable. "What if..." is scary and unknown.
But Jesus says, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” He brings a full life for all who follow. Healing is possible, but we must do our part. There is a part to play by the community. Notice the man by the pool is helped into the water by others. Others are always a part of our recovery. However, there is also something we must do. If we refuse to believe in recovery, it's simply not going to happen.
"Do YOU want to be made well today?"
"Pick up YOUR mat and walk."
Jesus (and the rest of us) are willing to help if you will do your part.
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