When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
John 5:6
Chris Bell, my pastor at 3 Circle Church, taught on this Scripture last Sunday. Here’s Jesus asking a man, an invalid for 38 years, if he wants to be healed. It seems to me, as Chris taught that the man would give a terse response: YES! But, as we find in the following verse, the paralyzed man gave excuses.
The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.”
John 5:7
Before judging this man’s answer, I had to consider my life. How many times has the LORD asked me the same question, and I have given excuses? “Do you want to be healed?” It could be for a habitual sin, a broken relationship, or a path I’m taking that is not the right direction. My answers have been, “LORD, this is the only way I know,” or “Jesus, there’s no way I deserve healing and forgiveness for this.”
It’s funny that we get comfortable in our misery, and when healing is in front of us, we make excuses, ignore the opportunity, or even worse, say no thanks. I am so thankful that Jesus doesn’t take no for an answer. He told the man at the pool to take up his mat and walk. In the same way, Jesus tells me to get up and follow him each day. He wants me to quit making excuses and live free of chains. Jesus wants me to trust him and stop living a comfortable life.
You can find Chris’ entire message below or at 3Circle Church Online | Water Week 8
