LEAVING APPALACHIA

LEAVING APPALACHIA

Sunday, April 30, 2017

John 5:1-12  After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had an infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: …

  How often is a question asked and in doing so reveals our attitude of healthiness, or not?

  Bethesda is far away in time and geography. So what does reading Jesus healing there so many years ago have to do with you and me here and now? The answer depends on whether we simply read it as distant in time and space, or study, contemplate, and apply to our present circumstances on a regular basis. Some thoughts I’ve had about the Bethesda account that are beneficial when accepted and applied:

·         There is vast gulf between not wanting to be sick or die and wanting to be whole.

·         Being whole goes far beyond the physical. It includes the challenges of carrying responsibilities beyond “the bed”.

·         It doesn’t take being face to face with the jaws of a shark for life to be frightening.

·         Knowing what up and about wholeness entails, even may demand, we may opt to remain abed.

  Appalachia is beautiful country. I’ve enjoyed many areas of it with family, friends, and strangers. Friend Mike was born and raised in on the Ohio side of the river not far from Wheeling, West Virginia. The village of Mount Pleasant is quaint, noted for the largest Quaker meeting house in the USA, and being a very active underground railway station.

  But as far as employment and wages, Mike those many decades ago decided for opportunities elsewhere. As a young man he joined the army and served over 25 years, even holding an important position at West Point for a period of time. He and his dear wife returned home in retirement. Mike working at a supermarket down the mountains and Pam vigorously employed in the classroom media department at the University of Ohio.

  Mike encountered numerous young people bemoaning their status. They wanted more, a life with better opportunities. But when Mike advised that the answer is to leave, even joining the military, they were not interested in rising up and walking.

  I continue to wonder if Jesus asked others lying by the pool? Didn’t others hear His words to the man? But then that was there, whereas we hear His words here and now.

EBB4