The Years Between

John 5

The Healing at Bethesda

 ¹ After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem.

 ² Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. ³ In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; ⁴ for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] ⁵ A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He *said to him, “Do you wish to get well?” ⁷ The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” ⁸ Jesus *said to him, “Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” ⁹ Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk.

I wonder what a normal day looked like for the sick man during those thirty eight years.  Do you think he thought that he would ever get healed?  Obviously he had some hope because he kept trying and positioned himself so that it was at least a possibility.  I wonder how many of those were just going through the motions.  I wonder how many of those years contained any joy in the midst of suffering.  

Two things about this passage I love: 

Jesus' compassion and the man's response.

The first explains itself.  The second sounds a bit like this to me when I read it in my head. 

"I'm doing the best I can here, but I'm on my own and just not strong enough to beat out the competition.  I have to keep trying anyway though.  What choice do I have?  I'm a Cubs fan.  There's always next season."

Seriously though, I wonder, even though I know it won't bring me any answers, what was the point of those 38 years and why didn't Jesus heal more of the people there?  

As I continue to ask my why questions, it comforts me to know that even Jesus asked God why.  

"My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?"