It was Sabbath. He knew it from the throngs of people going up to the temple. But for him this day or any other had been the same for the past 38 years as he lay there paralyzed beside the pool near Sheep Gate, gazing expectantly at its placid waters. Once a year the water stirred by an angel (or an underground hot spring!!!) brought healing to those who could get there first. In 38 years he had never succeeded, and deep down, knew that he never would. He was an invalid and did not have the education or experience, good looks or upbringing, influential contacts, or rich relatives to "make it happen"... and now after 38 years he did not have the will or the hope. He was literally just a few feet away from a miracle, but in his impotent state he could have been 10,000 miles away... so near yet so far!
In the early days beside the pool, he dreamed big. He would get into that pool at the right time and walk out a new man... He would get the right job... marry the right woman... have the right kids... go to the right church... play golf... He would even donate a significant part of his income in helping people like him get into the pool in time... yeah all this and more, once he had dumped his past in that murky water... his mistake riddled past. He would definitely not commit them again. No way... he would be a changed man. Those were costly mistakes.
There was only one problem... it was always someone else in that pool every time. People just like him… people he had encouraged not to give up; they were the ones there before him. Straight out of the water they came... thanking him... for without his encouragement, they said they would have given up long back. Now that they had made it, they were very sure that he himself would make it. "Hang in there buddy", they encouraged him, as he had them. Wearily he smiled... deep down inside him, his heart was sinking... as were his dreams...shrinking... Yes, he thought... maybe one day he too would get into that pool first and be healed... maybe one of the passers-by would lend him a helping hand... maybe after that, he would try to get a modest job... Would he? He wondered. The world as he had known had changed as he languished for years beside that pool. Now everyone worked on computers and talked on cell phones. He would, maybe, in his spare time help people who just like him could not get into that pool...maybe... he had already downgraded his aspirations as ground realities like menacing tentacles gripped him. Indeed he had made mistakes... costly mistakes that landed him here. How he wished he could undo them.
Well, all that was 38 long years ago. Now he no longer dreamed... nor even glanced up at passers-by. He just lay there staring at the water as if in a trance... if only he could get in there... his only wish in life was to get to that water first... what after that?... he did not know... he did not care... after 38 years he had no dreams left. His dreamscape resembled ground-zero after a nuclear blast. He dreaded picking up the pieces from where he left 38 years ago... his prime was gone... so was his drive... his energy... I wonder if deep down inside he even cared if he got into that water at all.
But this Sabbath day, among the hundreds of feet that passed him... one stopped... he didn't notice at first. Maybe someone had paused to answer their cell phone or even light a cigarette. But these feet, they stayed there planted... as if on purpose. Slowly he looked up. A man was looking at him. Someone was actually paying attention to him after 38 years! But why? The stranger looked intently at him and asked "Do you want to get well?"
What a ridiculous question! It was like asking a choking man if he wanted the Heimlich maneuver (well almost). "Do I want to get well? Well let me see... nope... I'm happy the way I am... in fact I'm looking forward to another 38 years of pool gazing!".
The irony of the question, however, was not to satisfy the curiosity of the one asking, but a deeper, soul searching question addressed to him… like the beam of a searchlight on his tired heart. The truth was... he had stopped believing in ever being healed. In fact, he had totally forgotten about being healed. His world had become so myopic... all he wanted in life was to get into that pool. Nothing else mattered.
"Sir, I have no one to help me get into that pool when the water is stirred", he replied. "Can you help me? But then... the pool hasn't been stirred in a long while! Can I have your mobile number sir, so that I can call you the moment that pool gets stirred? You'll have to come real quick though... If you don't come quickly, someone else could beat me to it."
"Get up!" the man said authoritatively, "Pick up your mat and walk". His brain hadn't even registered the incredulous words of this stranger before healing and strength coursed through his broken body!
38 years rolled back in the blink of an eye. He got up. He couldn't believe it. He looked towards the pool. There was barely a ripple. Was he dreaming? In 38 years he hadn't stood on his own feet... and yet it only seemed like yesterday. He had no difficulty getting up or picking up the mat even after four decades of paralysis. Only his mind could not catch up with his feet as it froze in wonder and disbelief. He was whole again!
Suddenly he remembered... the stranger!... where was he??... he looked all around him... but all he could see was the milling crowd.
Jesus meanwhile had quietly slipped away...
Adapted from John 5:1-15
Miracle Maker - Delirious?
I’m waiting here for my life to change,
When the waters stir you can rearrange me.
Just one touch is all I need,
I’ve nothing much but the wounds I feel,
I’m looking for the hand of the miracle man.
Holy, you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Holy, you are holy, Saviour, Healer,
I’m standing at the feet of the miracle maker.
I’m holding on, with your life in mine,
Living water’s come,
And you’ve rearranged me.
Holy you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Holy, you are holy,
Saviour, healer,
I’m staring in the face of the miracle maker.
Holy, you are holy,
Who was and is and is to come.
Jesus, precious Jesus,
Thank you, Saviour,
I’m walking in the shoes of my miracle maker.
I’m standing with the faith of a miracle maker.
Written by Delirious? ©2005 Curious? Music UK
Album: The Mission Bell
