Answer the Question

John 5:1-18
I remember a scene from the TV show The West Wing that went something like this:

Man: Do you have a watch?

Woman: It’s 2:30.

Man: I didn’t ask you what time it was, I only asked if you had a watch. You should only answer the question that is asked, nothing more.

The story told in John’s gospel today contains a similar exchange in which the answer given does not match the question asked. “When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ 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’” (John 5:6-7). Jesus asked a man if he wished to be healed. Instead of saying yes or no, the man became defensive, offering excuses as to why he was still sick after 38 years. In other words, the man by the pool did not answer Jesus’ question.

Two things come to mind here. First of all, are we answering the questions that Jesus is actually asking us, or are we answering other, less important questions? When Jesus asks, “Do you love me?” are we stammering on about the terrible weather last Sunday morning, or the unexpected expenses we’ve encountered lately, or how difficult it is to find even a few moments of peace and quiet during the week? When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?” do we mention how much we’ve enjoyed the recent Bible study, or how the women’s luncheon was so lovely, or how the grass at the church needs cutting but that we assume someone else will take care of it? The answer to “Do you love me?” should be a resounding “Yes.” And the answer to “Who do you say that I am?” is “You are the Messiah, the Son of God.” So why have we put ourselves into the position of having to dodge these questions when Jesus asks them? Why do we get so defensive?

But that also leads me to wonder how often our society makes those in need feel as though they must make excuses for themselves. How often do we somehow blame the hungry for their condition, or hold the homeless accountable for living on the streets? How often do we assume those who are poor must have done something (or not done something) that lead to their plight? Do we automatically conclude that those who are sick must have brought it on themselves? Jesus offers no judgment in healing the man by the pool and only calls on him to live a life of righteousness after the fact. Are we not capable of the same mindset, or have our suspicions and our attitudes led us to the place where we cannot see a need without assigning blame to the one who suffers?

I offer those two thoughts today mainly because I am acutely aware of my own failings in this regard. I recognize how often I respond to Jesus’ questions with unrelated answers, and I know I make assumptions and act on stereotypes in relation to those in need. During this season of Lent, perhaps – with God’s help – I can do something about it. Maybe – with God’s help – you can, too.

Prayer: Lord of healing and restoration, help us to answer your questions with honesty and clarity and to meet the needs of our world without judgment or qualification. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Careful Who You Mock

Proverbs 17:1-20

Mixed throughout the book of Proverbs are a number of profound statements that deserve our close attention. We encounter one of such passage today. “Those who mock the poor insult their Maker” (Proverbs 17:5a), we read.

There is no mystery who “the Maker” is; it is God, the Creator of heaven and earth. To mock the poor, then, is an offense to the one who has made all people, including those who suffer from want. To scoff at or demean those in need is like holding up a part of God’s good creation for derision. But what constitutes mocking, scoffing, or demeaning? Is it only when we laugh and point at the less fortunate in our midst that we are objectionable to God? I don’t think so. Mocking the poor is a far more pervasive activity. It happens when we create systems that keep the poor from advancing. It happens when we stereotype those in need as “lazy” or “worthless.” It happens when we make assumptions about what the poor want or need based on our own preferences.

Years ago the elementary school my children attended considered establishing a uniform dress code. One of the claims made at the time was that students faced ridicule based on the quality of their clothing and that uniforms would put all children on an equal footing. This was a noble goal, yet the proposed list of stores where uniforms could be purchased included some of the more exclusive shops in the area, the sort of places poorer families could not afford to go. And while a clothing closet was also proposed––as a source hand-me-downs at the school––the assumption was that children would not recognize the difference between expensive items of clothing on the one hand, and those being worn by a second or third student on the other. I believe that children, especially the older ones, would have quickly noted the distinction, and while I’m sure this was not intended as mockery the effect would not have been what was sought; the underlying problem would have remained. A truly fair policy would have stipulated that all clothing come from the same source. But even well-meaning families with some means would have objected to this provision as limiting their freedom of choice.

The fact is that poverty is not a simple issue to address, but it should not be so readily overlooked either. When we refuse to address the plight of others we are insulting God who is their Maker.

Prayer: Lord, help us all to understand the needs of others and to respond to them with the same grace and love that you give so freely to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.