“DO YOU WISH TO BE WELL?”

 

         In John 5 we find a man that had been an invalid for thirty-eight years.  In hopes of receiving some type of relief or healing, this man had been lying at the pool that was in Bethesda by the Sheep Gate for a long time.   The reason he was there is because in this pool some believed that an angel would come and stir up the waters offering some type of healing.  This healing however would only come to the first one who jumped in.  Whether or not an angel of the Lord stirred the waters has been the subject of debate for centuries.  In fact, many Bibles do not even include verse four in the text, but rather adds it as a footnote.  The validity of the pool’s power is not the subject of this devotional, but it is necessary for us to mention.  What is interesting about the story is the question Jesus asks the lame man, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5.6).  It has often perplexed me as to why Jesus would ask such a question.  Who would not want to be healed of an illness?  One would suspect the man’s response would have been one of frustration, maybe something along the lines of this; “Of course I want to be healed! You think I come here everyday for the scenery!”  However, we mistakenly forget, that Jesus already knows the heart of this man.  Jesus is already aware of why the man is there, so He would not have asked this question if it were not relevant to the situation.  The man’s response might just be an accurate commentary on our society today.  “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”  Doesn’t it seem like the man is offering some type of excuse as to why he hasn’t received healing.  Listen again to his words “no one to put me in” and “While I am going another steps down before me”; as if to say “It’s not my fault” and “I have no help”.  In fact, both of those statements are completely accurate; it is not his fault he is in his situation and up until this point, no one has helped him.  I am sure he is wishing Jesus to have compassion on him and help him. Yet, Jesus doesn’t just heal him, but rather places the pressure on the man by saying “Get up, take up you bed and walk.” (John 5.8).  This got me to thinking, I bet that man tried to get up and walk every morning hoping that his disability was just a bad dream.  So, what possessed him to make the effort for Jesus?  The answer to that question may only known by the man and Jesus, but it there must have been something about Jesus that made the man put forth the effort to stand.  In fact, he did much more than stand…he picked up his bed and went on his way rejoicing.  It is often said that “God helps those who help themselves”.  Although that phrase isn’t in the Scriptures, that idea seems to be presented in this miracle.  Jesus puts it this way in Matthew 7.7-8 “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened.”.  The same sentiment is echoed by James, “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you” (James 4.8).  Spiritually speaking…” Do you wish to be well?”  Maybe it’s time you get up and let Jesus do something about it.