Blame

Ron Writes

Do you want to get well? Jesus asked a man this question (Jn. 5:1-17). The man had been sick for 38 years. That’s a long time. That’s a lifetime. This question shocked me as a young man. Why ask? Of course he wanted to get well. Who would choose misery? Life has taught me the importance of this question. Not everyone wants to get better. The man blamed others for his condition. It’s easier to blame than to take responsibility. It’s easier to blame than change.

Do you want to be a better person? Do you want a stronger marriage? Do you want to get along with classmates? Do you want to break that addiction? Do you want to advance at work? Do you want to get well? Are you willing to take personal accountability and change? Or do you blame? My wife, she; My husband, he; My kids, they; My boss; My friends, My parents. It’s everyone else’s fault but mine. Everyone must take responsibility. With God’s help, I can change. With God’s help, I can walk.

Jesus healed him, but the man’s character never changed. When challenged for carrying his pallet on the Sabbath, the man blamed Jesus (He said, “it was the guy who healed me,” because he didn’t know Jesus’ name). The guy who healed me told me to carry it. It’s his fault.

Jesus found the man again and warned him, “Behold you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” Take responsibility. Stop sinning. Stop blaming. It’s easier to blame than change.

So, what does the man do? He now knows the healer was Jesus. So – He goes to the Jews and lets them know that it was Jesus. Blame. Does he ever take responsibility? Does he ever change? Did something worse happen to him? How do things end for us?

It’s easier to blame than change. It’s easier to blame than be accountable. Do you want to get well?