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“After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ The sick man answered Him, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.” (John 5.1-9 )
I am sure you are all familiar with the story of this man, who, on Jesus’ command, took up his bed and walked. Yet, most of you fail to apply this to your daily life, as you are unable to identify yourself with this situation.
If for any reason you find yourself stuck, helpless and at the mercy of people you don’t even know; or if you are heavily dependant on others, then you are ‘paralyzed’, and are could remain in this situation for a very long time, unless you decide to take action.
So, let’s analyze this man’s story and see how he managed to overcome his problem.
He had been waiting around for 38 long years and the more he waited, the more his shame increased. Nobody was willing to help – not because they were bad, but because people naturallly see to their own needs first – hence why we should never depend on others!
When Jesus asked if the man wanted to be made well, instead of saying “Yes”, he explained why he couldn’t be made well. When an opportunity comes, you should seize it, not give excuses – or put yourself in a position of dependance on others.
When Jesus told him to “Rise, take up your bed and walk” the man immediately got up because he finally understood that he needed to act. This was his problem to solve, his life at stake.
Many people do not count on others for help, but still wait on luck, fate or chance, which turns out to be just as bad.
It is more than proved that those who hang around waiting for things to happen may even have a strong faith, but as long as they wait for someone to help them, they’ll never find a solution.
Throughout those 38 years, nobody wanted to be by his side, not even his friends or his family. This reveals that the needed sacrifice is something personal.
Jesus put him to the test, He didn’t “give him a hand”, but rather gave him a word that challenged his faith. A Word that made him get up and start depending only on himself. His revolt made him jump up and completely change his way of living.
Those who wait around will have opportunities come and go, but they won’t even notice them because their faith is paralysed, despite them coming to the church.
All you have to do is to listen to the voice of faith and it will lift you up completely. The biggest mistake of that former paralytic man, was to wait for someone to help. Our attitudes show the revolt we have inside. That’s why we should do everything that is within our reach. Have you done everything in your reach? If not, the day hasn’t ended – there is still hope!
Your servant in Christ, Bishop Julio Freitas
