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“Do you want to be healed?”
– Jesus to the invalid (John 5:6)

Jesus’ question is directed to an invalid waiting next to a pool to be healed by a coming miracle. There the desperate man stayed, believing that an angel would stir the waters and heal the first person that jumped into the pool. One wonders why Jesus would ask this man if he wanted to be healed when it is obvious that he did. Jesus’ question pierced the doubting, depressed heart of a sinner that wanted healing but had little faith.

Rather than answer the question, the invalid gave a list of reasons why he couldn’t be healed. “I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up.” In other words: I’m alone and no one wants to help me. “While I am going, another steps down before me.” Everyone else has it better off than me. Notice he didn’t answer Jesus’ question, but instead allowed all the doubts of his unbelieving heart to creep forward in his pitiful reply. Rather than truly wanting to be healed, the invalid found it more comfortable to wallow in doubt and self-pity. He looked in, rather than up. Jesus, in His compassion, chose to heal the man anyway.

Today, Jesus still holds the power to heal, and often, He puts the same question to us. “Do you want to be healed?” His question covers both physical and spiritual health, personal problems, struggles with sin, and even financial needs. Oftentimes, filled with doubt, we refuse to answer and choose instead to give excuses like the invalid. “I’m alone and no one can help me.” This is all about me. “Everyone else has it better off than me.” I can’t be helped in the problem I’m facing because there are too many things holding me back.

When you need Christ’s help and healing, don’t concentrate on all the reasons why you are indeed helpless. Recognize your weakness; answer His question by telling Him “yes”. Then, leave the details to Him. Your response to Jesus’ question will reveal the amount of faith you hold in your heart.

written by Trevin Wax  © 2007 Kingdom People blog

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