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Sick guy gets healed, here and now
Tuesday, March 17, 2015
Tuesday of the Fourth Week of Lent
Psalm 30:4-6
There is in Jerusalem a pool called Bethesda … Jesus asked the man who had been ill for 38 years, “Do you want to be well?”
What would you say? Thirty-eight years is 13,870 days. The man had been SICK for 332,880 hours, unable to walk, never able to be first in the pool when the water was stirred. He was accustomed to his condition and expected nothing more.
Today was the day of Sabbath. Did the lame man know it was Sabbath? Jesus certainly did. And he made a point of saying, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” He broke Sabbath rules, and he told the lame man to break them too.
When is Jesus going to come to me and say something like, “David, do you want be healed?” I’ve been growing comfortable with the way things have been, not so great, but not so bad either. Do I want to take a risk, especially when the timing is wrong for my culture? What will my friends say?
I would probably make excuses for myself just like the sick guy did in the story. But in the story Jesus just cut to the quick and told him to rise up. Get up, stand up, don’t give up the fight. And Jesus looks me straight in the eyes and says, “Get up, stand up … Hey! Don’t forget your mat. It’s yours, so carry it.”
Bethesda is a word which means “house of mercy, house of grace.” Wherever Jesus is, there is the house of mercy, house of grace. He isn’t waiting till we die, heaven help us, to introduce us to the kingdom of God. Get up, stand up, it’s right there in front of you.
Put wings on our feet, Lord, and let us share your good news. This is Jesus we’re talking about. There is healing in those wings. And teach us how to be gentle and respectful with this great news. Make us willing to walk about with you no matter what, even on the Sabbath.
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