In John 5, Jesus heals a "Man" after being an invalid for 38 years. He-"Man"-the unnamed recipient of this miraculous healing-is in what I can only consider as an equivalent in Jesus' time and place of a nursing home. It is the pool of Bethesda with five porticos where many invalids lay. The bible defines them as the blind, lame, and paralyzed. Apparently, miracles happen there from time to time. "Man" has been there for 38 years, waiting.
Jesus asks "Man", "Do you want to be made well?" Man responds out of the depths of his pain and abandonment.
"Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me."
"Man" has a way out of the nursing home. But two things stop him. 1. No one will help him. 2. When he can muster the strength, somebody else cuts in front of him. I wonder if "Man" saw Jesus the Miraculous Healer or Jesus the Dumbass Gawker standing in front of him.
When Jesus told "Man" to get up, take up his mat, and walk, he healed "Man" on so many levels. He healed him physically, mentally (although a little follow up therapy probably wouldn't hurt), emotionally, and spiritually.
Our consideration on Sunday is where we, simple Christians, fit into that healing. We are going to take up the challenge of being imitators of Christ and daring to call ourselves healers. There is a lot of things we cannot do. I am not the miracle worker Jesus is. But I have come to believe that the most basic thing we can do is foundational to any healing that "Man" received.
Now I am going to be a pain-in-the-#$%^ "advertiser" and stick you with that cliff hanger. Come to worship at 10am on Sunday, July 12 to the First Presbyterian Church of Perth Amboy, 45 Market Street in Perth Amboy for more.
Because this topic is so near and dear to me, as a pastor and a 'spiritual caregiver', I will post the sermon to the blog next week.
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