Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the water, was made well of whatever disease he had.  Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” -John 5

It would have been an easy answer. 

"YES!!!"

Yet the man instead launched into what sounded like a practiced excuse for why he was stuck.

I have been there. When my kids were younger and more cantankerous in the car I actually rehearsed what I would say to the policeman when he or she pulled me over for reckless driving. None ever did by the way.  When we were in Albuquerque and dirt poor I had a stock line for why I couldn't afford things. It never left the confines of my head, mind you. Then after the twins arrived I explained away all of my shortcomings with the show stopper, "I have nine kids." It was convincing if only to myself that I was absolved of whatever transgression I had going on. The justification never saw the light of day. But it kept me lame when I might have been on my way. 

The invitation to change is a subtle one. 

"Do you want to stop being angry?"

"Are you ready to be someone who forgives?"

"Is resentment working for you?"

Even in the absence of accountability, Jesus healed the man.

"Rise, take up your bed and walk."

I think life got better after that.