Week 10—Thursday John 5:1-8
John 5:1-8
“WOULDST THOU BE MADE WHOLE?”
“Man is made for conversion.” Dr. Starbuck, the psychologist, says, “Every life is stunted unless it receives this metamorphosis called conversion in some form or other. If the Church allows this to fossilize then psychology when it becomes truly biological will preach it.” Note: “psychology when it becomes truly biological”—when psychology does not preach it, then it is not biological—it has departed from the science of life. It has departed from life. If psychology in not preaching conversion is departing from life, how much more is religion departing from Life when it fails to preach and fails to produce conversion. It has lost its right to be called Christian, or its right to be considered alive, for it has departed from life—hence from Life. It is “twice dead” and shall be “plucked up by the roots.” “Every plant which my heavenly Father has not planted will be rooted up.” When life is not fulfilling its destiny, it is on its way to death.
But the moment we find conversion, we find Life. Withered life begins to live. Take this case:
I had been working as a social worker when in 1945 I had a severe depression. I saw a psychiatrist, was hospitalized, and had electric shock treatments. I left the hospital with the depression sufficiently lifted enough to eat and sleep, but the days stretched ahead and they appeared endless and futile. I never missed church. Somehow that one hour of the week was more endurable than any other. One day the minister spoke on John 5: “Wouldst thou be made whole?” Something began working in me. Did I want to get well, or did I want to be the object of pity, completely dependent on my patient and loving family? The assurance came that if I wanted to be made “whole” He would supply the power; I gave Him the affirmative answer and the healing began. The next morning I got up so full of energy and purpose I felt ready to burst. I scrubbed, waxed, and polished all day. I read the New Testament. It was new! Now the days were full of adventure and joy. Within a week I was back at my job.
She was herself because God’s!
O Master of life, you have come to bring life and bring it more abundantly. When we are in you, we are automatically in life. Out of you we are automatically out of life. In you we pulsate with life, alive in every cell and tissue and nerve. Evermore give us This Life. In your name. Amen.
AFFIRMATION FOR THE DAY: The crux of the matter is here: Do I want to be made whole sufficiently to commit myself to wholeness?