Scripture: John 5:7 – “The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me.” (NRSV)
Today, it is relatively easy to get a COVID vaccine; in fact, some vaccines are going to waste because there is more supply than demand. But a few months ago, the opposite was true. There was so much demand that wait lists were created. In some cases, it came down to having a connected friend who could “hook you up.” Those without such friends had to wait, living in fear that they might never be able to get back to normal.
For some people, it seems like someone is always cutting in line in front of them. Someone more powerful, someone more wealthy, someone more connected. Such people, and you may be one, need a friend, that person who can cut through the red tape and lift you up when you need it the most.
As Joseph Medlicott Scriven’s famous hymn tells us, “What a friend we have in Jesus.” Jesus provides love and support to those who otherwise have none. One of the many examples of Jesus acting on behalf of the powerless comes from the Gospel according to John. In Jerusalem, there was a pool which was said to have healing properties when it was stirred up, and many of the invalids of the city came there to be cured. One day, Jesus met a man who begged him for help; because he was lame, people pushed him out of the way, and he never managed to get healing. As you might expect, Jesus heals the man with a word and sends him on his way. As it is the Sabbath, some local busybodies scolded the man for carrying around his mat on the day of rest. Because of Jesus, this man had circumvented the ways of the world that kept him forever helpless. And they were not happy. As the story continues, the man becomes and outcast and Jesus is marked for death. But because of Jesus’ love, the man has no fear and feels he can face whatever the world throws at him.
In the final verse of his hymn, Scriven writes, “Are we weak and heavy laden, / Cumbered with a load of care; / Precious Savior, still our refuge, / Take it to the Lord in prayer.” We all feel weak from time to time, like we are always pushed aside for vaccines or jobs or just common compassion. But through our prayers, we know that Jesus is our friend, that Jesus will “hook us up”, and that nothing is beyond Jesus’ power and grace to bring us love and peace.
Prayer: Savior Jesus, bless me in my strength and in my weakness, that I may ever find joy in you. Amen.
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