Jesus likes to hang around nasty people and a**holes (like me and uh, your neighbor). Even when we are nasty, healing is within our reach.
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Congratulations on making it this far. Just mentioning Jesus can turn people off. Most people agree that Jesus was cool, but some of his people can be nasty.
Jesus was known more for walking around than for being a sermonizer. He was probably not church material and he would be uncomfortable in most of our churches. He was more used to being around prostitutes, sinners and addicts.
I like the story because it shows that Jesus is comfortable with nasty people and assholes. I promise, no preaching.
The short version of the story: Jesus heals a guy who did not ask for it and then tells him to take his yoga mat, go for a walk and stop being so nasty. The more detailed among us will want the whole scoop, so if that is not you, just skip the next couple of paragraphs.
Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well.” The guy immediately gets all nasty at Jesus, “Did you know there’s not enough help around here and I’m just too damned slow to move around?” Then Jesus heals him.
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Here is the longer version: If you want the full word for word story, see John 5:1-15. My take on the story is that the man spent most of his life (thirty eight years) waiting for help. Healthcare was not very good at the time, so people waited near a pool that would occasionally get disturbed by supernatural forces (aka, Angels). The first person to touch the angel-jacuzzied pool gets to be healed. (This makes me do a headscratch. Expecting sick people to race each other to see who can be first to touch the pool seems cruel. Maybe the point of the story that being sick can be habit forming… but we will come to this later.)
Jesus walks up to the man and asks him if he wants to get well. The man is nasty to Jesus, complaining that no one will help him and he is too slow. He does not verbally ask for anything but Jesus heals him anyway. Jesus then tells the man to get up and go for a walk. Later, the man bumps into Jesus and what he doesn’t say tells the story: No “Thank you,” and not even a “Hey, how’s it going?” Jesus doesn’t say much to the man, he just tells him to stop being so nasty or his life will probably go downhill again.
Seven unexpected things about healing along with some funny bits to keep you interested:
1. Healing is personal. My almost-fifty body has some aches and a few creaks. (Sounds like a country song: “My Achy Creak.”) Sometimes my mind races and I get low and dark, and I hear a high pitched squeal all of the time (tinnitus). If I were to ask for help, it would look different than what you might need. We each need something different and what we need may change over time.
Our bodies talk, but paying attention is not easy.
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2. Our bodies talk for us. The guy in the story did not ask for help verbally, but his body screamed for help. He was living where sick people go when they have no where else to go. Sometimes our bodies get fed up and ask for help even when we are stubborn. Depression can talk for us, so can other things like cancer, diabetes, addiction or weight gain. Our bodies talk, but paying attention is not easy.
3. We can get used to being sick. Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?” The guy immediately gets all nasty at Jesus, “Did you know there’s not enough help around here and I’m just too damned slow to get around?” Then Jesus heals him. I can relate to the man. When I am sick, I get cranky. I would like to think that I would just say “Yes” to that question, but I can’t judge the guy. Being ill for thirty eight years is a long time and it can become hard to imagine a life without pain.
You and I don’t have to change much if we want to get better, but if we don’t want to keep getting sick, we may have to change our lifestyle.
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4. Recovery may involve Yoga and walking. Jesus heals him, then says “Buddy, get up, take your mat with you and go for a walk.” As we get older, being flexible and just keeping our ability to move around is really important. Bending down, picking up something like a mat and then walking around can keep you healthy in the right places. You and I don’t have to change much if we want to get better, but if we don’t want to keep getting sick, we may have to change our lifestyle.
5. If you want to change your life, don’t go to church… go shopping instead. I read the story and I let my mind fast forward a little (I know, that is a dangerous thing). The guy goes for a walk and after walking for a while, he realizes he needs some new stuff: shoes, a water bottle, a sketchbook, a travel mug for coffee and a backpack to hold everything. I think it is interesting that Jesus didn’t tell him how to live his life or that he needed to go to church. Jesus told him to walk and stop being so nasty. He left the man to figure out what he should drop (ie: stop doing) and what he may need to pick up.
6. If you need to hang onto something that makes you comfortable, go ahead. Sometimes our comfort item is a mat, a stuffed animal or a book. Other times it is a behavior or an addiction that we picked up along the way. It does not matter what you carry with you because it’s not about the mat. Healing needs to be worked into the inside and that may require yoga, a little massage, a lot of coffee and allowing ourselves to be loved.
7. Being thankful makes life more fun. The man was a grumpy ass. I don’t judge him though, I have been there too. When you or I suffer, being thankful is hard. My wife and I have two teenagers and some days, the house can be a grumpy mess. Still, we have a lot to be grateful for: that we have kids, that we have a home and that we have jobs that allow us to be away from our kids for 8 hours. Life is good.
I am interested to know what you think about this post. Please leave a comment and join the Good Men tribe.
Photos by plasje and SharonaGott.
Very interesting. Jesus loves nasty people… As I believer (and as a nasty person), I concur.
Love the post.
Will watch for more like it…
You are welcome Agent X. Just wait until this Thursday… By the way, love the name Agent X.