Freedom from Affliction - John 5:1-24

God reveals his power in the middle of both personal and communal brokenness.  A man is hopelessly indefinitely afflicted; but he is almost resolved, obedient to that affliction.  The prominent religious leaders, rather than aiding such a man in his condition, had put up legalistic obstacles to his flourishing.  In a sense, both the individal and the community suffer from different "disabilities."  Jesus enters this scene with a challenging but liberating perspective and impact.  It relates to you as a person, and to us as a community of faith.