What Do You Want?

John 5:2-9

Q: "How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?"

A: "Only one, but the light bulb has to WANT to change."

In Mark a paralyzed man needed four helpers to get in front on Jesus in Capernaum. In John's story the sick man by the pool of Bethesda by the sheep market lies by himself in the mist of a big crowd. He doesn't even know who Jesus is, much less try to get in front of him.

In Mark the man had friends who would take off the roof to get into Jesus' presence. The man at the pool lies all alone in the midst of a huge crowd that is shoving and pushing to get to the water when it stirs. No one to help him into this pool so he can't get through. That's why he's still sick after 38 years.

I don't know how the invalid gets to the pool every day, where he sleeps at night; the story doesn't say he's "parlutikon"; he is astheneia, "infirm." Presumably there is a mental component to the infirmity, as there was presumably a spiritual component to the paralytic's. Because, while Jesus' first words to the paralytic were, "Your sins are forgiven," when he sees the invalid he says, "Do you WANT to get well?" (Hukios="sound, whole")

Well, I don't know does he? He is in the crowd by the pool after all. He's not begging in the streets or in a room somewhere looking out the window.  Presumably he sort of wants to be well because he is THERE.  

But maybe he sort of doesn't because his answer isn't, "I want!" as for example the blind man when Jesus said, "What do you want?" immediately said, "I want my sight back!" His answer is, "I can't. I can't get to the pool."

The invalid is blocked in some way; is it really the crowds; or maybe his block is thinking he needs this pool.

Jesus says, "Arise!" Same verb to indicate rising from the dead. Jesus says, "Come alive!" Doesn't even bother with trying to round up some people to help the guy force his way through the crowds. Doesn't mean, "If you really want it, you'll get through to that pool." Just says come alive and walk. "Get moving" as the exercise buffs say. So important for life to move.

I like the way Jesus says take up your bed, also. So the man does come alive, immediately or very soon. Maybe you could say Jesus motivated him. Boy I would like to know more about that experience, that encounter.

Meditate on -- change. Getting well would mean a change for the man, not a very attractive personality I don't think.

Think about, why would the invalid want to change?