I Need Help

The ill man answered [Jesus], “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.” – John 5:7 (NRSVUE) 

Times in the last week I needed help: when my water heater incessantly beeped at me, when I couldn’t find the gluten-free pasta in the grocery store, when a medical bill was charged the wrong amount. Each time I felt frustrated when I realized I couldn’t solve the problem on my own, and the frustration remained until someone responded to my need.  

Those were relatively inconsequential moments of needing assistance, but if there was an ongoing lack of help, the frustration would surely mount to intolerable levels. And if someone willfully kept me from the help I needed? My frustration would erupt into furiosity.  

For 38 years the frustration mounted for the man in this story who knew that the path to healing required help from someone else. It’s easy to read the Gospel solution as self-determination or bootstrap theology; Jesus tells the man to pick up his mat and walk. But after being ignored for so long, the man needed Jesus—to connect with him, to be seen by him, to be in relationship with him—for the healing to begin. 

Healing from all manner of ills—poverty, inaccessible healthcare, educational disparities—requires intentionality of relationship to address them. It takes hearing those who are crying out for help, and prioritizing their needs. Often, it means stepping back instead of rushing ahead. Whichever direction healing lies, one thing is certain: we can’t get there on our own.  

Prayer
Whether we need help or we are called to be the helper, we need you Jesus, and we need each other. Amen.

About the Author
Ellis Miller serves as the Designated Pastor of Granby Congregational Church, UCC and is the author of Only Work Sundays: A Laidback Guide to Doing Less while Helping Your Church Thrive.