Scripture:   John 5:1-15John 5:1-15

This third story in John relates to an invalid. Jesus is back in Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews, possibly Purim.  He is at Bethesda where the disabled people, the outcast, the blind, lame and paralyzed sit and wait for healing or for pity. It was their belief or superstition that if a pool was stirred, they believed an angel did it and the first one in the water while it was stirring would be healed.

  

Jesus picks the man for healing; there are others that He does not pick.  Jesus had pity on him. It is often odd how or why God chooses what He does out of grace, but this is a Biblical true characterization of God.  He picks out of His will because it is His will and for no other reason that we are told. There is no known reason He should have picked the 12 disciples He did, or Gideon or Moses, but He chooses and picks those whom He wants to shine for His glory and this is the case here. 

      

The man had been in this condition for a long time. Jesus picked the worse, the most miserable, the most incurable and asked the incredible, “Do you want to be healed?  “Do you want to get well?” That may seem like a funny question. Some might choose to remain an invalid for then they would not have to bear the responsibility of self-employment.  Then they would have to make their own living. 

       

Jesus’ question is one that haunts me. One must decide and take responsibility for their healing.  Do you really, really want to get well?  There is a way - Jesus. Would he trust Him? When we want to really get whole, we must be willing to be responsible for being open to the healing power of God or drawing on God’s strength to help change.  To be willing to accept his condition is not blaming others for the fact that he can’t walk.  That is what he does. He can’t  say, “I can’t possibly get well, because of them.  They wouldn’t put me in the pool first.” Too often we make excuses for our situation. That is not the question.  Do you really want to get well?  That is the question I believe Jesus asks him and me and you.

  

Do you sometimes seem like the invalid at the pool?  Are you really ready to admit helplessness?  Are you waiting and wanting to be changed?  Indeed, we are sinners in need of help and we are powerless over it, but there is one who by faith can change us and will.  When we submit to receive Jesus, we also a commitment to obey Jesus for the power of healing comes with the command of Jesus and in our response to obey.

 

Dale