Do You WANT to be Made Well????

John 5:6-8  "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?'"

The above verse is about a man who had been sick for over 38 years.  There was a pool of water in Jerusalem that was known to have healing powers. When an angel stirred up the water, whoever stepped in first would be healed of whatever disease he had.  So Jesus came to town and saw this man lying near the pool.  When He asked him if he wanted to be made well, the sick man answered that he had no man to help him get into the pool when the water was stirred up, so he just never could get healed.  Then Jesus said to him something very important...He told him to "Rise, take up your bed and walk."  The Bible says in verse nine that "immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked." 

I find it interesting that there is no record that the man ever thanked Jesus for healing him. To his credit, he did do as he was commanded...he got up and walked...but you would think that after being unable to do that for 38 years he could have at least said "thank you".  The other thing I find interesting is that when Jesus asked him initially if he wanted to be made well, he never really said that he wanted to be made well. He actually made an excuse for why he couldn't get well, because no one else would help him.  Isn't that just like human nature?  We have that same problem...we make up excuses why we can't do this or that to help ourselves, or we blame someone else for our problems...like our parents, or our teachers, or our employers (or former employers), or the government, or the police.  We seem to have a difficult time admitting our own problems or taking the initiative to do anything about our problems. 

I realize that there are many legitimate situations where people really cannot help themselves. I'm not talking about that or trying to belittle those who are truly helpless.  But there is a large number of people in America today who are much like that man lying beside the pool.  They really aren't too sure they want to be healed, or employed, or taken out of their "comfort zone".  They've gotten too accustomed to blaming others for their problems or expecting others to fix their problems for them. And when someone does come along and offer them hope, or a way to improve their situation, they may take advantage of the offer, but they forget to say "Thank you."

The question God may be asking us today is, "Do you want to be made well?"  Jesus offers us much more than a quick fix to our problems... He offers us a complete healing, from the inside out.  What He wants to give us is an answer that will last for eternity...actually, eternal life.  And it's free for the taking. No strings attached...just come as you are, and He'll take care of the rest.  Now that's a great deal!!!!  Any takers?