Today’s Bible reading is John 5 and it contains a fascinating question asked by Jesus:
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:1-6)
I’d certainly encourage you to read the rest of the chapter, but take the time to meditate on Jesus’ question as well: “Do you want to be healed?” On the surface, isn’t the answer obvious? “Of course I want to be healed!” But think about your own life, and ask, “Am I willing to do what is necessary in order to be healed by Jesus?” For instance, drawing from this same chapter:
- Am I willing to turn my back on sin? (John 5:14)
- Am I willing to unashamedly acknowledge Jesus as my Savior? (John 5:15)
- Am I willing to humble myself under the mighty hand of God? (John 5:18)
- Am I willing to honor the Son of God with my life? (John 5:22-23)
- Am I willing to seek, not my own will, but the will of my Father in heaven? (John 5:30)
- Am I willing to follow him–wherever he leads–that I may have life? (John 5:39-40)
- Am I willing to seek the glory that comes from the only God? (John 5:44)
Lots of people want to be healed … on their terms. Jesus continues to ask, “Do you want to be healed?” But he also makes clear that apart from him, we are spiritually blind, lame, and paralyzed. And on our own, that’s where we’ll stay.
Healing is available–healing of the heart, healing of the soul, healing of relationship with your Creator–on the terms set by the One who knows what is best for you.
“Do you want to be healed?”