December 12 Well, Do You?

John 5:1-6 Sometime later, Jesus went up to Jerusalem for a feast of the Jews. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate a pool, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda and which is surrounded by five covered colonnades. 3 Here a great number of disabled people used to lie – the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. 5 One who was there had been an invalid for 38 years. 6 When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?”
 
JESUS asked the crippled man, “Do you want to get well?” Why? Surely he would answer, “Of course I do.”
   Perhaps not. Consider the man had been at the pool a long, long time. Imagine sitting there 38 years, hoping for some help! Or was he, instead, hoping all would continue to leave him sitting? Had he, perhaps, become too comfortable in his disease? Were his limitations his comfort zone? After all, when little is expected of you, little is required, right? Was he even too afraid of what change would do to his life?
   Jesus asked the question needed for every healing. He wanted to know the man’s heart. Before healing happens one must desire to get well. True purpose and desire are needed for change.
   How about you? Do you desire to get well from worry, despair and gloom? Do you purposefully want to stop being negative and become more encouraging? Is your desire to be healed of pride’s crippling fever, so you will enjoy the balm of humility and forgiveness? Do you really want to remove the sore spots that infect your marriage, finances and faith? Do you truly desire to get some help to get up and purposefully walk into the pool of God’s rich, cleansing promises?
   Sadly, we quietly answer the question, “Not really. No.” We live in our limitations for a reason. If we prefer to lay back, so we will seldom be asked to enter into life. It’s safer, easier on our “mat”.
   Bu if you truly answer, “Yes, I want to be well in you, Lord.” to be healed of the things that cripple your life, then know you must seek Jesus’ help. Pray to the Helper, the Holy Spirit, to strengthen you to get up. Get up and step into the pools of God’s knowledge, wisdom, discipline, submission and repentance. Get up and learn his Bible. Go out to live what you learn. Get down on your knees and pray for strength. Get up and walk into new places often, so you will experience God in new, meaningful places. Get up and find a mentor. Listen to instruction. Follow the path to change. Be eager to get up, throw off your limitations and receive the sanctifying – life changing – power of God.
   Is this what you want? Do you want to be well?   
 
Prayer: Holy Spirit, I want to be well with God. I pray for your help to stand up and walk into a transforming faith. In Jesus’ name, amen.