At a certain point this past year I was sitting with my awesome roommate Katrina trying to process some stuff that was going on. At times she has this terrifying yet loving way of speaking truth so sharply you really have no way out except to acknowledge what she’s just said. What came out of her mouth that day demanded attention, and it’s a lesson I doubt I will ever forget. “Amanda, Do you WANT to be made well?” It struck me in a place I didn’t know existed until that moment, and I’ve been thinking about it some more today and thought I would share. I’ll try my best not butcher Katrina’s lesson. This is coming from John chapter 5 where Christ heals the invalid who has been sitting by the pool of Bethesda for a LONG time, waiting for a chance to get healed. Every year when that water was stirred up I can only imagine that guys frustration at being beaten into the pool. It must have been beyond irritating, and bitterness must have been there. Looking at verse 7, it’s my guess that he was bitter. I would be.
In any hospital you have to explain what’s wrong, why you’re there, where you hurt or what’s happening with your body. Clinical psychologists and counselors all need to know what’s happened in your past in order to help you deal with the present and look to the future. When we look to friends we tell them what’s wrong (and that’s not to discount doctors, counselors or psychologists I’m just separating a supernatural Christ from human understanding and workings). So it strikes me that Christ never asked what this man’s sins were. He didn’t ask why he’d never made it into the pool. Jesus didn’t demand an answer of the invalid. He didn’t ask what was wrong with him. He didn’t give this man a formula or plan for getting into the pool. Jesus didn’t even call someone over to give orders that the invalid would be put into the pool next time. He was actually already aware of this man’s circumstances (v.6). Instead He asks, “Do you WANT to be made well?” Perhaps, alongside a lesson in faith (and a big one at that) this was also a matter of the heart.
I can (and often do) find myself in a place similar to the invalid, complaining or excusing away my situations while being bitter or resentful for the place I find myself. In my opinion, Jesus was more concerned about this man’s heart/faith than his circumstances. I’m sure that’s how it is today too. He’s already aware of my circumstances. Instead He’ll ask me, “Do you want to be made well?” In other words, will you believe that I can heal you? Can I be the one to take care of you, because clearly your way isn’t working out so well. You have a choice here.
“Amanda, do you want to be made well?” In my heart in that moment I realized I do want to be made well. But it’s my choice if I allow Christ to do so (He’s a gentleman like that). But in my healing, in my wholeness and any amount of holiness that exists in me is God’s glory revealed because certainly I haven’t done it for myself. Just as believing in Christ is a choice we make, it’s also a choice to allow Christ to make us well. And what happens after wards? “immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”
“See, you have been made well”
After this there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew, Bethesda,[a] having five porches. 3 In these lay a great multitude of sick people, blind, lame, paralyzed, waiting for the moving of the water. 4
For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up
the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the
water, was made well of whatever disease he had.[b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool
when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down
before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.'”
12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you
have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
For an angel went down at a certain time into the pool and stirred up
the water; then whoever stepped in first, after the stirring of the
water, was made well of whatever disease he had.[b] 5 Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”
7
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool
when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down
before me.”
8 Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” 9 And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.
And that day was the Sabbath. 10 The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.”
11 He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.'”
12 Then they asked him, “Who is the Man who said to you, ‘Take up your bed and walk’?” 13 But the one who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had withdrawn, a multitude being in that place. 14
Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, “See, you
have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you.”
15 The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.
