A man by the “healing waters” of the Pool of Bethesda wanted to be different, but he was powerless to change his life. He saw no chance because he had no one to help him. Then Jesus came, always the Friend of the friendless and the Helper of the helpless. Thirty-eight years of infirmity were turned into a new day for the man who had no hope, other than hope in God.

There are many people in that situation today. Here are a few.

A farmer, riding a mortgaged tractor, burning fuel he got on a credit card, moving across rented land, making ruts in the recently flooded area.

A woman, 47 years old, sitting in a cemetery under a green tent furnished by the mortuary, hearing a man saying what he had said a thousand times, “You have our condolences.”

A man who runs a small grocery store his father had started, barely making a profit to keep his family together, looking across the street to where the workmen are building a new super store.

A young couple standing close at the airport terminal, holding hands so tightly their knuckles are white. She is pregnant; he wears military garb. They aren’t talking, just looking until a loudspeaker sounds, “Flight 92 now loading at Gate 32. All aboard.”

Each of these feels so helpless. They need Jesus, either to change the circumstances or to see them through.

Yogi Berra said, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.”

Jesus said, “It isn’t over when it’s over. Behold, I make all things new.”