Mustard Seed Thoughts #19

There is a saying that goes something like this : ‘ We are victims of our circumstances and situations.’ At times we get into trouble that is not caused by us but by people and by the situation. We get frustrated and hurt by these. We can even become depressed and be in the rut for a while. These things do paralyze us and deprive us of living a life fully for God.

In John 5, we see a man who has been invalid for 38 years. He is found near the Sheep Gate. He is waiting by the pool called Bethesda. This is the time of the feast. Surrounding him are the blind, crippled and paralyzed. All of them are waiting for some action in the pool. It is believed that when the water of this pool is stirred, miracles begin to happen. There has been a rumour that an angel comes and stirs its waters. So anyone who jumps into the pool when the water is stirred, gets healed. So here is the crowd, waiting, longing and hoping for some movement in the pool. Jesus comes along and spots this man. He asks the question ‘Do you want to get well? ‘ Jn 5:6

His immediate response is what he has believed and experienced all his life. ‘Sir, when the water is stirred, I don’t have anybody to help me get into the pool. By the time I get there, somebody has gone in ahead of me.’ Jn 5:7

This man represents so many of us today. We believe we are victims. That is why we never progress beyond who we are, what we have or what we can do. He looks around. Everyone is like him-crippled, invalid and paralyzed. All victims. They are not going anywhere or moving forward in life. He accepts this as the reality of life- ‘if they are like this, it is also alright for me to be like this’. He has been in it for 38 years. This has been ingrained in him for all these years. It has become absolute truth for him. Someone said ‘you can almost tell what kind of person you are by looking at the friends you hang out with’. No wonder. They all look around, see the same similar situation they are all in and confirm this is normal and expected.

He looks inside and believes that this is his lot and fate. Confidence to move on in life comes from the inspiration of the Holy Spirit who lives inside us. After being in this state for so long, he probably has lost his confidence in himself to get out of the situation. Our own ability and trust in ourselves have failed us so many times.

He looks outside. He trusts in the pool to get his healing and answer. ‘I don’t have anybody to put me into the pool.’ Jn 5:7 We tend to find our solutions and answers in things, objects, places etc.

To him the magical solution is to get into the pool. Notice that he has tried for so long and has not gotten any result. He is still waiting and hoping. He also trusts in people to get him out of the rut. Everyone has failed him. He has also considered ‘religious feasts and celebrations’ as there is a feast taking place in Jerusalem. It is sad but often true that we try to find solutions to our problems and challenges on our own. We have heard stories of people running from one end to another to seek for solutions...only to return disappointed.

All this invalid has to do is to look at Jesus. Jesus says to him ‘take up your bed and start walking’ Jn 5:8. That’s it. Start walking out of that situation. Keep looking at Jesus. The end of this story? This man picks up his bed and walks. Having difficulties and challenges in life? Waiting for answers and solutions? Jesus asks ‘Do you want to get well?’ Start looking at Him.