Thoughts in Worship

Message Magazine's Online Devotional for Thursday, September 1, 2016

We are focusing on getting to know God from the perspective of John the beloved.

Today’s Scripture Focus: John 5:1-18

There is much to be said for so-called social media. I mean, the fact that you are reading this post right now means that it has, in many ways, taken up residence in our lives. In it there is a level of relevance. I have often wondered why it is even called social. I mean, we are accessing that which is called social from our backlighted little devices and peering into the lives of many people, all at once. We cannot actually see these people, we cannot touch, feel the air moving from each other's lungs as we get close to hear that treasured life experience that our friends want to share directly from their hearts. Yet, it is considered social...media. I do not want to get out of balance here, though. Entire societies have been impacted for good through social media activism. Families who are separated for a time can share pictures, videos, stories, personal messages, and not-so-personal messages in order to communicate tender care for their loved ones. Perhaps the focus should not be as much on the limits of social media, or whether its virtual mechanism disqualifies it from being social. Perhaps, there is a lesson of real import that this new world of socializing has only emphasized. The truth is, even our face-to-face relationships are fragile these days. Sometimes we find ourselves too busy to demonstrate that we care for those closest to us. Sometimes we are so bogged down with life, that we do not carve out time to reach out to those in our communities who need our caring attention.

The story of our focus verses today provides a curious lesson in context of our opening thoughts. How was it possible for an enfeebled man, who was always surrounded by a rush of people, to become invisible? How is it possible for us, whether through our thousands of FB friends, tens of thousands of posts, tweets, pins, etc., to become lost in our very real need to nurture and be nurtured? Somehow, as we plug in to our virtual socializing, we get unplugged from carrying one another's burdens. This man, in a pre-digital era is a microcosm of what we will experience if we are not careful.

Now, Jesus demonstrates the highest ideal for us. He sees the man who has been an invalid for 38 years, and asks Him a simple question: "Do you want to be made whole?" The man's response is an indictment upon all who have rushed by him all-day, everyday, going about their business. It is an indictment of those who heard and experienced his cries for help as he posted to his proverbial FB timeline, that he needed HELP! He said that every time he felt like his change and healing was about to come, somebody would rush by him, without even trying to help, in pursuit of their own healing. Now, that is anti-social. This would happen, day in and day out. A glut of uncaring people, all looking out for self, brushed by a poor man without regard for his wellbeing. Jesus sees the man's real condition and gives him the attention he needs. He looks into his eyes and says, "Be healed. Pick up your bed, and walk." It was the Sabbath! Even during the hallowed hours of the Sabbath, we are challenged with the contrast of healing and the disease of the lack of fellowship. The Most High is passing by each of us today, through our nifty little devises to say, "Be healed. Let me help you get off your back and walk out of your desperate, neglected state." But, oh, here's the thing, we all get to participate in this new social movement! We get to reach out to one another intentionally to give and receive tangible love, so we never need to experience the indictment of anti-social inactivity again.

Look for someone to bless today and watch God miraculously heal them.—L. David Harris (www.DavidWritesaLot.com)