We gather with people around the world,

all hearing this same Bible reading,

and I wonder what difference it would make

if we were in Zimbabwe,

or Bangladesh or Argentina

as we heard these words.

There are many stories of Jesus healing people in the gospels, but this one is different. No-one is asking Jesus to have mercy on them or to heal them – not the man or his family. Right throughout the encounter between the man and Jesus there is no indication the man has any idea who Jesus is.

In the time when this event took place, there was no communal social security, or NDIS or aged care, apart from what was provided by your family.

When Jesus asks the man if he wants to be healed, he tells Jesus why he hasn’t been able to organise his own healing.

Rumour, legend, or tradition has it that an angel visits the pool at random times, stirring up the water, and giving it healing properties.  The first person to step into the pool after the angel disturbs it, receives healing.[i] 

As a person who is unwell, he is not able to move fast enough to get in the pool by himself. Surely if Jesus asked you, do you want to be healed, you would respond enthusiastically – YES!

This man does not say yes, he says I haven’t been able to get in the pool first.

Some commentators talk about this as whingeing, others about how the situation the man is in has broken his spirit.

Those of you with long term illnesses will understand how it is possible to be too tired,

to lack hope,

to be resigned to the limitation and/or pain.[ii]

I wonder if that is what has happened to this man.

I wonder if he is so occupied with what has to be done, that he cannot even think of how to answer the question Jesus asks. He has been here, by the pool, waiting for healing for 38 years.

I wonder how old he is.

I wonder if he has a family.

Jesus asked the man a difficult question: Do you want to be made well?

Being made well implied a new life.

After at least 38 years of illness what would being well mean.

Would he be able to get work?

Would his family accept him?

What is his physical condition after 38 years of illness?

If Jesus asked you: Do you want to be made well?

would you need to think about it?

Is being responsible – response-able – able to respond to God’s call, able to respond to the word and love of Jesus scarier than being unwell?

Do we fear being well more than the illness?

Last year I had a broken ankle, I needed to wear a boot and use crutches to get around, it wasn’t easy. Even on flat surfaces, it was tiring, and there were some places I just could not get to.

Imagine what it was, and is, like for people with limited mobility or in wheelchairs when all buildings had stair entries rather than ramps.  Imagine what it is like for people who are blind or can’t read, when we focus so much on the written word.

There are countries today where people with disabilities are not able to join in with the community. It may be because of attitudes, or just that the equipment and facilities we take for granted are not available.

Places like Zimbabwe where women look after children with special needs and disabilities with little or no support from husbands or relatives[iii]

On the World Day of Prayer website, there are some notes from the committee in Zimbabwe:

Jesus asked – “Do you want to be made well?”

You are faced with this life-changing question.

What are you going to do?

“Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” said Jesus. Our sisters from Zimbabwe are taking Jesus’ encounter to be a call to act in love for peace and reconciliation. “The action verbs suggest that we should not be afraid to act on the word of God. God is offering us the steps for personal and social transformation.” This is the time for change!

Prayer and action are what links us together around the globe.

We are empowered to take up our mats.

No more waiting powerlessly on the mat.[iv]

Sunday is International Women’s Day, the theme this year is "I am Generation Equality: Realizing Women’s Rights”[v]

I wonder what equality would look like for our sisters in Zimbabwe.

For these women, ready to take up their mat, no longer willing to be wait for space and resources, putting prayer and action together to be agents of love and peace and reconciliation.

How do you respond to the question of Jesus to you: Do you want to be made well?

In what ways will you, will we, join our sisters in Zimbabwe in responding to the call of Jesus to act in love for peace and reconciliation.

---

[i] https://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/2225-the-question-that-hurts

[ii] https://www.journeywithjesus.net/essays/2225-the-question-that-hurts

[iii] https://www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org/world-day-of-prayer/wdp-2020/country/

[iv] https://www.worlddayofprayeraustralia.org/world-day-of-prayer/wdp-2020/

[v] https://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2019/12/announcer-international-womens-day-2020-theme