A man stuck in a plan

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 well?" The Son of God, who is omniscient, doesn't ask questions because He lacks information. There are many who think they want to be healed, but are afraid of being healed. Their ailments (physical, mental and emotional) have come to define them. They are used to being looked up on with pity and have become comfortable where they are. Being well holds more responsibilities and more accountability along with a transformation of life. The deeper question Jesus asks is, “Are you willing to transform your habits, relationships, priorities and faith?"

Some people will go to extraordinary measures to avoid changes. Dave Reavor, a disabled Vietnam veteran, tells of a young man in the 1960’s who did not want to avoid mandatory service in the US military. So he had all of his teeth pulled to make himself unfit. But when he took his physical, he was declared unfit because of his flat feet! We get accustomed to the predictable, safe pattern of living that we become unaware that there’s more to life than what we can see. Humans have an innate tendency to resist change and adjust to familiar circumstances. We get so accustomed to the familiar that we fail to realize the difference between living and simply existing. Though the Bible assures us that those who have been set free by Jesus are free indeed, many are still living blind, lame and paralyzed in pitiful conditions though they are very close to the 'house of mercy'. Sometimes survival is the best we can hope for because of resistance to change. If we are content to stay as we are — no matter how miserable that may be — there can be no change or possibility of healing.

The sick man was investing in the wrong plan even though he was sincere in the desire to get healing. Sincerety is good but not enough if you invest in the wrong plan. The man explains to Jesus why his plan fails. It is because someone else always gets there first. That is indeed unfortunate. He has been at a pool which is supposed to have the answer to his problem, but it is also the answer to everyone else’s problem. And, there are probably at least a few other people who are strong enough to get in first. Yet, he remains without learning that if you continue to try the same thing, you continue to get the same results. God says, "I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." (Jeremiah 29:11).

Jesus wanted him to take up his mat that was his comfort zone for a long time and walk. Healing will come on God’s terms, not his terms. He must leave behind all expectations to be carried by some invisible friend and look upto Jesus, "the author and finisher of faith" (Heb 12:2). One must acknowledge the desire to be changed and take hold of the new future. God's plan will eliminate all possibility of a relapse and will ensure continued success. Jesus demands an honest answer before change can come to the situations of broken relationships, frustrated plans and personal failures.

Blessings