Scripture passage: John 5: 1-9, 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
This question is posed by Jesus towards each and everyone of us. Do you want me to heal your wounds, wipe your sorrows and solve your family problems?? Our Lord Jesus is standing before us with open arms. What is your response?? “Yes, my Lord I am willing”. Or like the invalid do you give excuses / reasons and blame family, friends ad church for being indifferent.
We forget we are talking to the one who knows everything. The invalid did the same. He did not know Jesus. He said to Jesus John 5:7, 7 “Sir,” the invalid replied, “I have no one to help me into the pool when the water is stirred. While I am trying to get in, someone else goes down ahead of me.” In our community there are many around us who are overburdened by their own sorrows filling their heart and mind. Such people are unable to see or feel the pain or sorrow of others. What would happen if a blind man guides another blind man?? Both would fall into a hole.
There are some people with whom no one is willing to talk, and some with whom it is never enough. Sometimes we forget we are humans. Every living being born on this earth has some problem or difficulty, be it animal or bird, Some face more and some face less.
For ants, a lump of sugar is heavy just as a trunk or log of wood is heavy for an elephant. We lessen each other’s burden by helping each other whenever we can. We decide beforehand that we are alone in this world with no one to help. Then how can we end this condition? The result is disappointment like the invalid. We forget that we have someone who is willing and capable of ding anything, Jesus. Instead we rely on our capabilities. Lazarus’s sister Martha says to Jesus, John 11:21, 21 “Lord,” Martha said to Jesus, “if you had been here, my brother would not have died.” What a beautiful faith it is!! A person who is unable to comfort himself/ herself cannot comfort others.
Now let us look at family life. Depressed, and dejected parents cannot raise up children in the path of Christian life. What we have can only be shared.
When we read further we discover that no rule is strong enough an obstacle to stop Jesus from coming near us. Even on Sabbath He cured the invalid. Again we see that the invalid does not recognize Jesus. Even us, who believe ourselves to be devout believers of Christ, and have Jesus with us always, fail to recongnize Him.
The word of God says that the guardian of Israel neither sleeps nor rests. He protects us without rest and sleep. Psalms 121: 3-4, 3 He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
Jesus at the temple saw the invalid. He revealed Himself to Him, instructed Him .John 5: 14, 14 Later Jesus found him at the temple and said to him, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” Have we experienced change/transformation when in church? Just like the invalid, Jesus instructs us also. Are we listening???
Listen dear brothers and sisters , you are going from here receiving strength in mind, soul, and body. The Holy Spirit resides in you now. Do not sin anymore. Stop sinning before something worse happens to you. Let the Lord Almighty open our inner eyes/ eyes of our soul so that we listen, look and follow Him. Let us pray for the awakening.
AMEN.
Jehovah Roi 