Man's Helplessness and Christ's Power

Draw near, O Lord, our God

Graciously hear us,

Guilty of sinning before you.

The entrance hymn echoes in my mind as the gospel of Jesus is read. This gospel tells of Jesus curing the man who had been at the famous pool of Bethesda (means House of Mercy) in Jerusalem. Jesus has come down from the other Bethesda (Bethesda Julius), located north, where the fjords of the Jordan enter the Sea of Galilee on a grassy plain; it is where Jesus fed the multitude heading into Jerusalem for the festival.

Jesus is alone as he enters the pool area. Today we know the pool was deep enough for swimming, maybe even deep enough for diving. There was a subterranean stream beneath the pool which every now and again bubbled, disturbing the water. Ancients claimed an angel caused the disturbance- everything unexplainable usually had a supernatural explanation. We do the same today when we justify our wrongdoings by saying, ”The devil made me do it.”

As always, there is a crowd of people at the pool- some ill, blind or lame. Sitting slightly higher and above the disabled ones, being seen, but not mingling with the diseased, therefore, sinful ones, lie another group of men. These men are devout Jews resting against the five pillars (the five books of the law). Today is the Sabbath and they are resting as required by Jewish law.

Jesus “draws near” to the disabled crowd. The one who catches Jesus’ eye has been at the pool 38 years; approximately the time it took the Jews to reach the Promised Land from Egypt. This man represents Israel, waiting for the Messiah, the Promised One.

Ignoring the orthodox devout Jews, who have no need for Jesus’ mercy, Jesus questions the one ignored for many years, the one whose disability was believed, to be caused by sin, the one who was helpless. He, whose power can heal the body and the soul, is drawn to those who recognize their helplessness and Christ’s power to heal. He, whose care, compassion, is fashioned by love, comes bearing hope, forgiveness, a new beginning. His power comes forth when He questions the man: “Do you want to be cured?”

It is not a foolish question as one would suppose. For many years the man has lain there waiting for someone to help him into the water. His days were spent lying by a pleasant pool, occasionally receiving a coin or two, with no responsibility. Is he complacent with his illness?

In our innermost hearts, we too, must truly desire to change if we want to receive Christ’s power.

Jesus tells the man to get up. The man does so immediately. Jesus has joined His power to man’s deep desire to change- to be made whole. He has joined man’s free will to His power and the man emerges as a new creation. The man is irrevocably changed by his encounter with the power of Christ. Truly, the waters have been stirred by Christ. Some first century Christian artists portray this tableau with the split-second timing of a man coming out of the water; it is an image of a man in good physical appearance carrying a pallet.

The devout Jews reclining against the pillars do not see the drawing up of man from the water’s edge with his pallet as a cause for celebration. No, they question the “work” done by Jesus to the man on the Sabbath. Even on the Sabbath the God of love and mercy act, as should man’s love and mercy act. Jesus claims equality with God. The work of Jesus and the work of God is the same. Helpless man must always be helped. Compassionate care must always be given; to relieve someone’s pain is greater than following social mores. God’s mercy and power and man’s willful desire work together. Worship can be beside a bed of one in distress. Christ is always found in their midst.

In addition to physical healing the man’s sins are forgiven; truly he is a new creation in all ways. Like the woman who commits adultery, the man is told: …”do not sin anymore.” He is made righteous, becoming a true adopted child of God.

Faith and love always mean “going out” together with Jesus - continuing the work Jesus began- to transform the world around one, to show compassion and love to all men. With Christ, man can tear down barriers erected by the world; to overcome sin and evil in the world by forgiveness. Where faith and love are found, He is there; through His power and our desire, peace, love, forgiveness will bring Easter joy and celebration.

Our recessional hymn sums up our meditation.

Humbly confessing countless sins committed

Our hearts are broken laying bare their secrets.

Cleanse us, Redeemer, boundless in compassion.