Do You Want to Get Well?

Have you ever thought why would Jesus ask such a question? Couldn’t He see the condition of the man and know that he’d been here for quite a long time?

We find the story in John 5, where Jesus came to Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate (Bethesda) and saw many people who were unwell. His eyes were caught by one man who had been lying there for thirty-eight years, and when Jesus approached him, the question He asked was “Do you want to get well?” Don’t you think this question was a bit unfair to ask? The man was obviously unwell and his purpose of being there was to wait for the stirring of the water so that he could get in and be healed. So why would Jesus ask such a question? I believe He wanted to see whether the man truly wanted to be healed, or whether he was used to being there, and it was the only way of life he knew.

Some difficulties in life can last for a long period, like in this man’s situation. Just think of thirty-eight years of waiting for your chance to get healed, but with no success. Somewhere along the way his focus might have shifted, and his desire might have ceased. Disappointment might have struck, with all hope completely gone. The man could have got used to his daily life, the only way he knew how to live, there waiting. That’s why Jesus wanted to know if the desire for healing was still there, after thirty-eight years.

We might have developed a way of living with our difficulties, or coping with our life. Any healing we might have desired could seem a remote possibility. But today I want to encourage you to press on in prayer and expectation. Jesus will come to your ‘pool’, no matter how long it might take. Let’s not get used to the conditions we’re in, but always be waiting for Him to move in our lives.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank You for the power that’s in Your name. Today, Lord, I’m expectant of You to move in my life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.