Sometimes I use St. Arbuck’s Chapel as the place to include some things I didn’t have time for in last Sunday’s sermon. A few things to share that are so good from people who have influenced me on this topic.

First, from the Rev. Thack Dyson of the United Kingdom. Rev. Dyson asks, “Why did Jesus choose to heal this man who was lying beside the water for 38 years? He complains that no one helps him. He’s settled into a routine of living off the generosity of others, there is no mention of any faith on his part, he offers no gratitude or appreciation to Jesus, and he shows more cowardice than courage. He’s stuck in his condition and seems very complacent about it. No, this guy didn’t deserve or merit Jesus’ help. Yet, here in his ordinary, everyday existence, Jesus does something ‘out of the ordinary.’” Jesus saves him – he heals the man and makes him well. And this is a lesson for us. For here we see that Jesus’ grace and love and healing is given fully and without restraint, regardless of one’s worthiness. You see, Jesus healed the man not because who the man was, but because of who Jesus is! Jesus gives freely and abundantly to everyone. And we see that if that man, with all his faults, could be the recipient of Jesus’ grace and love and healing, then that’s good news for you and me. It’s good news because it means that with all our faults, all our unworthiness, we too can receive Jesus’ grace and love and healing, and we too can be made well.” This is so profound and deeply moving spiritually and emotionally. I trust it is for you.

Secondly, Rev. Dyson (I wonder if he created the Dyson vacuum cleaners ?) says, the man beside the pool had to take some responsibility for his healing and wholeness. When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made whole?” His response was, “I can’t get to the water Jesus; there’s always someone else who gets there first!” Rev. Dyson goes on to say, “When we cease being a victim and start taking responsibility then we can be the people God created us to be and do the work God calls us to do. When we stop making excuses for our mistakes, pick up our mats and walk, then our legs will become strong enough for us to walk beside others who are in pain and need help. Our atrophied arms will become empowered to embrace our enemies and the outcasts. Instead of making excuses, we walk forward to a new life in Christ and set about doing the work of serving, healing, hoping, and living a life of joy and fulness.”

So, do you want to be made whole?