John 5:2-9 NRSVue

²Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. ³In these lay many ill, blind, lame, and paralyzed people. ⁵One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” ⁷The ill man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am making my way someone else steps down ahead of me.” ⁸Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.” ⁹At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk.

Now that day was a Sabbath.

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Some thoughts on this scripture

Reflection
In asking the man if he wanted to be well, I imagine how he may have become used to his illness and familiar with its once unwelcome restraints. His identity lay not in being an invalid, but in being a child of God. Even as I pray for freedom and for light, I acknowledge before God any fear that I may have of being unburdened.

Reflection
The sick man did not answer Jesus' question, but told the familiar story of his troubles. As Jesus now speaks to me, I do my best to answer what he asks being careful not to rehearse any disempowering message.