Reflecting on John 5:1-15“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
When Jesus heals people, He deals with each one uniquely.
He seems to discern the inner spirit or need of each person.
For this man He asks about how much he WANTS to get well.
For some people, this is a critical issue, a barrier to their getting well.
Is there a condition you have that you are not working hard to deal with?
Maybe Jesus sensed that after so many years this man had given up.
Jesus knows that for him to survive post-healing, he needs to work at it.
I sense this question was a healing question, one that I need to consider too.
Jesus includes the man in the healing: “Pick up your mat and walk.” (John 5:11)
Healing involves empowering individuals to live fully, not passively.
There are things beyond our control, but there are things we can do.
If we allow the uncontrollable to deactivate us, we will be done for.
Jesus WANTS to help us, but we have to WANT to be helped.
Jesus empowers people to do what they can, to live beyond their limitations.
Do we want to do what we can, or have we allowed our inability to define us?
PRAYER
Lord Jesus, there are some weaknesses and limitations that I have allowed to take control of me, to hold me back from doing what I can do. May this healing question help me to see beyond CAN'T and to focus on WANT!