Well That’s A Stupid Question, Or Is It?

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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?” The sick man answered him, “Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.” — John 5:2-7

To understand what is about to happen, you have to have a good picture in your mind of the scene. This pool looked a lot more like a third-world hospital. Visually you might imagine unclean people packed in around it. There was probably a rotten stench in the air. You might hear the moans of people in pain. And among them is one who has been an invalid for almost four decades—essentially all his life. Jesus notices him, walks over, and asks what might appear to be a stupid question.

"Do you want to be healed?"

Some people present might have even winced at this question and been offended by it. But really, it's a good question. It's the best question.

The question is this: "Do you want healing bad enough that you are willing to accept the change that goes with it?"

I have learned in my years of ministry that some people want to stay the same. They might say they do, but they don't. They want to tell you they do because they think that's the answer you want to hear. What they prefer is the comfort of their present state. And why? Because change is life-altering and means doing things differently than they are doing them right now.

For this lame man, Jesus's question is not like the official's son. It's not a question of belief. He believes the pool has the power to heal him. Otherwise, he wouldn't be sitting there. The question for him is, do you really want to heal because healing will change everything about your life. It's going to mean no more lounging by the pool. You're going to have to get a job. It's going to mean no more letting others care for you. You are going to have to care for yourself. And as Jesus knows, this lame man has grown accustomed to this way of life. So the question is excellent. And the question is, actually — Do you want healing bad enough that you are willing to change how you live the rest of your life?

These are the kind of men Jesus is looking for. All in men. Men willing to change anything and everything for the healing Jesus provides.

ASK THIS: Do you want to heal bad enough that you are willing to change how you live the rest of your life?

DO THIS: Live all in.

PRAY THIS: God, I have been holding back. Today is a new day to live all in for you.

PLAY THIS: I Want Jesus.