Blockage Two

Linda Rock
Sep 26
3 min read

Yesterday, we looked at the infirm man’s response to Jesus’ question, Do you want to be made well? John 5: 6b. We heard how he promptly answered with these words. 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. John 5: 7b

I told you that three blockages were identified in his response. Having brought to you facts about the first blockage, which was that of blaming others, this mind-freeing statement was made. Jesus is not about blame! Blame is a leprotic disease that eats away at all decency and clemency, keeping us as miserable complainers.

Today, we are exposed to the second blockage, for your consideration.

… to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up.

Jesus is there beside the faithful and healing-giving pool. It’s the place where many a needy person congregates, hoping for help. While I’m being schooled on this, I am taken to a bank, for example, the place that offers needing persons, to get finances to buy or build much needed houses. The same bank offers you loans for medical, educational, business and other life-enhancing projects. You know all of this and you try your best to get in on these advancements, but each time you try, you fail. You have no one to help you, no one to stand collateral or surety for you. There is no person who is there to back you up, for example, or to hold you up when loans are being issued. Others receive, but never you.

Then, as if out of the blue, a person comes beside you and asks you outright. Do you want a loan? Straightway, you begin to roll out your woes and your many years of trying and O how you are missing the point completely. O yes, there is no doubt about it, you want the help, but human nature can be so very dark and bitter.

Return to the infirm man. Yes, in the very place where human-assisted help is given to many, Jesus comes before this man and all he does is begin to tell Jesus of all his woes. He is telling Jesus, the fountain and source of all help and healing, that he has no one to help him. He is alone in this and has to fight for himself.

Check yourself! Can this be an image of you in any kind or likeness? The truth is that Jesus is His Living Word and He still asks you and me, who are plagued by infirmities, whether or not we want to be made well. We all have many infirmities, both big and small. Do your infirmities include those of pity-seeking, anger-wielding, and self-piety? Jesus has come to you where you are and as you are. He is the Person who has said, that if you will simply believe, minus all your hang-ups, He can and will make things different for you. It isn’t that you don’t know about Jesus. It isn’t even that you have not heard His offer to help you. The problem is with your unwell faith, which keeps company with injurious powers.

Come on then! Do you feel that God is out of touch with things about your life? Is that why you believe that you have to apprise Him of what is your current, unchanged position? Do you have to appeal to His pity and let Him know how uncaring and unkind people are to you? You begin your response to Jesus with the Self-pity Game.

Jesus is not about self-pity! Self-pity is an idolatrous evil synonymous with deceitful haughtiness and pride, which buries you deeper and deeper into a miserable, dark pit of doom. It steals all character and prudence, chaining you in prisons of apathy and entitlement.