Easter People Part 2: 19 Inches
Part 2 of the Easter People series describes a story from the Gospel of John where Jesus visits a pool in Jerusalem where the blind, severely handicapped, paralyzed, and lame were left to lie. Legend has it that an angel would occasionally stir the waters, and the first person to get in would be healed. Jesus approached a man who had been an invalid for 38 years and asked him if he wanted to be healed. The man said yes, and Jesus told him to get up, take his bed, and walk. The man did so and went to find Jesus to thank him, but Jesus had disappeared into the crowd. The Pharisees saw the man carrying his mat, which was against Sabbath laws, and confronted him. The story demonstrates Jesus' ability to perform miracles and signs, as well as his disregard for traditional laws and customs when they got in the way of helping others. The text also reflects on the question Jesus asked the man, "Do you want to be healed?" and how it applies to people's reluctance to change or seek help.
