Spring of Hope

During the Advent season, we look forward to the light that brings hope that brightens the lives of people who are in darkness. "The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death [ land of darkness ] a light has dawned." (Matthew 4:16, Isaiah 9:2). The season of advent starts four Sundays before Christmas day and ends with the celebration of the birth of Jesus on Christmas day. This also marks the beginning of the Christian year. The word Advent originated from Latin and means, “coming” or “arrival.” It is a countdown with anticipation to the coming of the savior. Jesus was born into this world as a small child in a manger as the savior. We are also in a countdown to His second coming as the King who will establish God’s kingdom in this world. Jesus said, “I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness.” (John 12:46). Jesus came to this world "to open eyes that...

In the gospel according to John Chapter 5, Jesus heals a man who had been lying at a pool side for thirty eight years waiting for healing. That is a long time to be doing anything, let alone lying at a pool side waiting for someone's help. This man took this place along with many others who shared a similar plight near the pool called Bethesda (which means house of mercy). After all, misery loves company. They gathered at the pool where it is said that at certain times an angel would disturb the waters, and the first one to get in would be healed. Jesus comes into the picture and learns that this man had been there for a long time. Jesus asks him a question, ”Do you want to get well?” Jesus may sound 'politically incorrect' to some people in asking such a question to a man that was waiting at a place that was supposed to heal people. The question was not only about healing, but more about his life: “What do you want to do with your life? Are you afraid of getting we...