Lent Pause: Would You Like To Get Well?
INTRODUCTION
Welcome, this is a time for quiet reflection. Pause to be still and focus on the presence of God. Take this as an invitation to slow down. Our lives can be so frenetic and distracted. Take a deep breath. Breathe in God’s love. Breathe out anything you want to hand over to God. Any tension, concern, longing. What do you desire? Let God know
Prayer by Teresa of Avila:
“Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You, always follow Your plans, and perfectly accomplish Your Holy Will… Help me respond to the slightest prompting of Your Grace, so that I may be Your trustworthy instrument for Your honour. May Your Will be done in time and in eternity by me, in me, and through me.”
First Reading: John 5:1-16 NLT
The reading for today is John 5:1-16 (NLT)
As you listen, ask God to give you an openness to hear what the Spirit wishes to bring you today. Notice if a word or phrase stands out to you.
Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda with five covered porches.3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.
Was there a word or phrase that stood out to you?
What emotions or impressions did you have?
Second Reading: Put yourself in the scene
For this second reading, put yourself in the scene. Imagine that you are in Jerusalem, by the pool with its five porticos.
Picture the columns and arches… listen to the murmur of echoing voices, the lapping of water. What is it like to be here? Have a look around at the people as they wait by the pool, each one hoping for healing when the waters are stirred. Imagine the man’s frustration at never quite making it to the healing waters in time… perhaps you can identify with him in some way or feel compassion for him in his situation. How do you respond to Jesus words and actions?
Let your imagination lead you as you hear the story again putting yourself into the scene
Second Reading:
Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda with five covered porches.3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.
Where did you see yourself?
Who did you resonate with in this story - people around the pool, the man Jesus approaches and heals, the disciples watching all this, or the leaders being critical of what Jesus was doing?
Why?
(Pause)
What can you learn about yourself and about God?
Is there is a searching question that Jesus asks you today?
(Pause)
Third reading: What is the Invitation?
Third Reading:
Afterward Jesus returned to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish holy days. 2 Inside the city, near the Sheep Gate, was the pool of Bethesda with five covered porches.3 Crowds of sick people—blind, lame, or paralyzed—lay on the porches. 5 One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, he asked him, “Would you like to get well?” 7 “I can’t, sir,” the sick man said, “for I have no one to put me into the pool when the water bubbles up. Someone else always gets there ahead of me.” 8 Jesus told him, “Stand up, pick up your mat, and walk!” 9 Instantly, the man was healed! He rolled up his sleeping mat and began walking! But this miracle happened on the Sabbath, 10 so the Jewish leaders objected. They said to the man who was cured, “You can’t work on the Sabbath! The law doesn’t allow you to carry that sleeping mat!” 11 But he replied, “The man who healed me told me, ‘Pick up your mat and walk.’” 12 “Who said such a thing as that?” they demanded. 13 The man didn’t know, for Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. 14 But afterward Jesus found him in the Temple and told him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” 15 Then the man went and told the Jewish leaders that it was Jesus who had healed him. 16 So the Jewish leaders began harassing Jesus for breaking the Sabbath rules.
What is the invitation from the Holy Spirit to you today from this passage?
What has most moved you.
Anything He is calling you to know about Him?
Something you have seen in yourself?
Maybe honestly asking “do I want to be well?”
Is there something Jesus is asking you to do, or stop doing?
Share your heart with God
(Pause)
Recite the Lord’s Prayer, together or on your own:
Our Father, which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.
Benediction:
May God’s love fill your hearts, His peace calm your minds, and His strength guide your steps. As you go, may you carry His light to the world, sharing His kindness and grace with everyone you meet.
