Nougat 16

We continue our reflections by the pool at Bethesda, exploring its implications for our lives in these times. Please receive today’s Holy Nougat

“Near Sheep Gate in Jerusalem was a pool called Bethesda in Hebrew. It had five porches. Under these porches a large number of sick people—people who were blind, lame, or paralyzed—used to lie. One man, who had been sick for 38 years, was lying there.” John‬ ‭5:2-3, 5‬ ‭GW‬‬

The Sheep Gate was one of the 10 entryways along the perimeter wall into Jerusalem. Its name is significant as the Sheep Gate was situated close to the Temple Mount, by the sheep market which supplies lambs for temple sacrifices (providing ease of access between purchase and sacrifice). It is very likely that the entryway experienced lots of human traffic as sacrifices was a regular feature of the religious practice.

Within the temple ‘enclave’ was the pool of Bethesda. Its name transliterates to suggest ‘house of mercy’; perhaps in respect of the healing nature of the waters. However mercy was only available once per month and was individual-specific. For healing grace was only available to the FIRST person to touch the pool when an angel troubled the water. We realize thus, that in addition to the space being one where the sick gathered and were somewhat focused on their state of unwell-being; it was also a space of immense competitiveness.

When Mercy is overshadowed by a system that promotes ‘Survival of the Swiftest’, there is bound to be schisms, frustration and even anguish. What is even more (negatively) troubling than the occasional troubled waters by Bethesda is the painful reality that this was temple life.

And that, unfortunately, is also the reality for many places of worship in our time. For, despite our belief in Jesus, and our professed faith in His healing grace, there are SO MANY Walking Wounded within our temple enclaves. This is compounded when it appears that only SOME individuals are granted access to the healing waters of church attention. Again we are stuck at ‘Survival of the Swiftest’ or Most Favoured. It is NOT hard to see how this can inflict fresh wounds, schisms, frustration and anguish.

So, in continuing yesterday’s reflections – who are we exactly? How do we situate ourselves at the pool?

• Are we the Walking Wounded making our way to the pool outside the House of Mercy, & are we actively seeking healing for our wounds?

• Are we ‘Nearer to Church, but Further From God’ as we hide our woundedness, even at the House of Mercy?

• Are we caught in the Survival game, with scant regard for anyone else seeking God’s healing grace?

• Are we offering false advertising; offering Hope while practicing exclusion? Or …

• Are we , by God’s Grace, living up to our name – sharing mercy and refuge to as many as possible?

By God’s Grace let’s walk the talk.

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May all we seek be found in Christ