Jesus apparently loved to ask questions. He never told people exactly what to think. He told lots of stories in parable form and asked them questions, burning questions that left the individual speechless. They were speechless for different reasons. Many were offended or defensive, some were shocked and others were dumbfounded because this is the first time they realized they didn't know the answer... Jesus didn't ask questions for himself. He knew the answer, but did we? He asked not for his benefit, but for the benefit of the person asked. They pierced through to the very center of the person's heart and soul leaving then beneath an avalanche of emotions to begin sorting through. The funny thing about religion is that we have forgotten how radical Jesus was. He didn't come to earth to get everyone in a straight line, like a bunch of programmed well-behaved robots behaving properly and living perfect lives. He was radical. He didn't care about outward behavior as much as he cared about the heart and motives. He came to throw out the law and free us from our crippling pride. Love and pride occupy the same space in our hearts and there is only room for one to stay. Only one of them will make us free. Jesus knew that, but do we?
Really though. The question that pierces my broken heart now is: "Do you want to be healed?" A truly loaded question...
A crippled man lay next to the healing waters in Bethesda. He very literally was AT a pity party, minus the D.J. and VIP guest list. That room was full of people who desperately needed healing.You could find the blind, deaf, lame and crippled of the city in this very hall. The Bible says he was crippled for 38 years. He had been there a long time. How painful must it have been for him to watch the waters stir and bubble up only to realize that every time they did someone else got to them first and received healing. He knew the routine. Even got comfortable and expected it and nothing more. To feel hope arise, spend time dreaming of what it would be like for a dream to come to and then watch another person live his dream. How many times do you watch that before you lose heart?
The very problem with Jesus' question is that the acceptance of his offer means you have to leave pride and self-pity behind. They can't come too. The man knew them so well though. They were his companions just as they are my companions today. To be bluntly honest, I am used to not being asked out on dates. I am used to not being pursued by good men. I am used to the other model booking the job I want. I have gotten comfortable with surviving and lying to myself. Pain of the past reminds me that desiring more than survival alone has gotten me into trouble in the past. I know what it feels like to be Job during the first half of his story in the Old Testament. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." What happened when he was healed and free? What would he do then? Makes me think of the inmate in Shawshank Redemption who spent basically his whole life in prison and suddenly found himself on the other side of the gates as an old man. He couldn't handle it and tragically took his life because the weight of the freedom crushed him. The hope we have is that Jesus will show us how to live with freedom. He promises to put an end to our shame and to fight for us (more on this later...)
Will we accept this healing, crush the hindrance of pride and allow our God to do some of the fighting for us and for our heart? He doesn't force us, but he offers joy and company for the journey. We just have to take the first step of faith and "get up"...
Really though. The question that pierces my broken heart now is: "Do you want to be healed?" A truly loaded question...
A crippled man lay next to the healing waters in Bethesda. He very literally was AT a pity party, minus the D.J. and VIP guest list. That room was full of people who desperately needed healing.You could find the blind, deaf, lame and crippled of the city in this very hall. The Bible says he was crippled for 38 years. He had been there a long time. How painful must it have been for him to watch the waters stir and bubble up only to realize that every time they did someone else got to them first and received healing. He knew the routine. Even got comfortable and expected it and nothing more. To feel hope arise, spend time dreaming of what it would be like for a dream to come to and then watch another person live his dream. How many times do you watch that before you lose heart?
The very problem with Jesus' question is that the acceptance of his offer means you have to leave pride and self-pity behind. They can't come too. The man knew them so well though. They were his companions just as they are my companions today. To be bluntly honest, I am used to not being asked out on dates. I am used to not being pursued by good men. I am used to the other model booking the job I want. I have gotten comfortable with surviving and lying to myself. Pain of the past reminds me that desiring more than survival alone has gotten me into trouble in the past. I know what it feels like to be Job during the first half of his story in the Old Testament. "The Lord gives and the Lord takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord." What happened when he was healed and free? What would he do then? Makes me think of the inmate in Shawshank Redemption who spent basically his whole life in prison and suddenly found himself on the other side of the gates as an old man. He couldn't handle it and tragically took his life because the weight of the freedom crushed him. The hope we have is that Jesus will show us how to live with freedom. He promises to put an end to our shame and to fight for us (more on this later...)
Will we accept this healing, crush the hindrance of pride and allow our God to do some of the fighting for us and for our heart? He doesn't force us, but he offers joy and company for the journey. We just have to take the first step of faith and "get up"...
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