July 19 | John 5:6
“Jesus saw this one lying there and knowing that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you wish to become healthy?”” (John 5:6)
Have you ever waffled between two choices? You seek a friend’s advice, talking about each choice with equal vigor. Your friend asks, “What do you really want to do?” We must find our passion before we know the answer.
This man has been an invalid for 38 years. That’s a long time! We find him at this unique place in Israel, a healing pool. Some Bible versions remove the verse that tells us people believed an angel stirred the pool and the first one to get in after was healed.
Sounds pretty crazy, but there was something about that pool. Jesus meets this man, seeing a desire for healing because he is faithfully there. So Jesus asks the perceptive question, “Do you want to be healed?”
What invalid for 38 years doesn’t want to be healed? Why would Jesus even ask? But he perceived in this man something we don’t think about. After such a long time with his sickness Jesus wondered if he wanted to be healed at all.
He doesn’t give Jesus a straight answer like, “Absolutely, Lord!” He makes the excuse that he can’t get into the pool after it is stirred by himself. Someone always beats him in. That’s not what Jesus is looking for. Don’t get comfortable in your sickness. Faith is stronger than time.
Action Step: Come to Jesus with complete faith, ready for your healing. Don’t think of benefits or comfort in your sickness. Jesus will raise you up in complete health.
Jesus my great Physician, I come to you for healing. You are my source. All of these other promises of healing fall short. I seek you for my healing and I am ready to live without this pain and sickness anymore.
