Tag: do you want to get well?
Do You Want to Get Well?
Scripture reading for November 1st: John 3-5
Healing of sickness and disability is an interesting subject. Some Christian people believe that miracles stopped with the days of the Apostles and Jesus. Others fervently believe that miracles are for today. Some people who are afflicted or disabled, have prayed for years and still not been healed. In Jesus’ time, it was no different.
Jesus visited Jerusalem and walked by a pool called Bethesda where many sick and disabled people gathered daily. Tradition said that when an angel troubled or stirred the waters, the first person into the water would be healed. At that pool Jesus saw a man that was paralyzed, and upon inquiring, found out that he had been that way for 38 years. Jesus asked him, “Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6b) The man did not directly answer Jesus’ question, but told Him that he had no one to help him get in when the water was stirred. At that, Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!” The man was instantly healed and able to walk and carry his mat! (John 5:8-9)
As we look at this miracle, we note that Jesus was concerned with the crippled man’s desire to get well. Some people seem to enjoy being sick and like the sympathy or excuse that they have for avoiding life. It takes faith to want to get well after 38 years of the paralyzed life! Jesus was trying to get him to express his faith and believe. It worked!
The religious Jews, however, were concerned that this man was carrying his mat on the Sabbath, for the healing took place on that day. They tried to get the man to tell them who healed him and authorized him to break their law! He could not tell them who it was. Later, Jesus found him at the temple and spoke one more time, “See, you are well again. Stop sinning or something worse may happen to you.” (John 5:14) Jesus was not only concerned about this man’s healing, but also about his soul. Paralysis may cripple a body, but sin will destroy a man’s soul! The wages of sin is eternal death and damnation! (Romans 6:23) We must want to be healed from sin as well as disabilities! Do you want to be made whole?