John 5:2-6 (ESV)
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?”
Can you imagine? You have been an invalid for thirty-eight years and look the part. You are hanging out at the “magical” pool where legend says an angel occasionally stirs the water and whoever gets in first…is healed. You try and try again, but because of your condition you just can’t get into the water before others do. Then, this kindly Jew looks you in the eye and has the nerve to ask if you want to be healed. More than likely, my response would have been snarky. What would you have said to the stranger?
For some reason, Jesus selected this one man out of the multitudes. Perhaps it was because of his long-term condition or maybe just the tenderness and humility of his heart. The bible does not say. Spurgeon notes that, “A blindness had come over these people at the pool; there they were, and there was Christ, who could heal them, but not a single one of them sought him. Their eyes were fixed on the water, expecting it to be troubled; they were so taken up with their own chosen way that the true way was neglected.” Of course, how could any of these needy people know there was a miraculous healer in their midst unless:
- Somebody told them about Jesus.
- Jesus reveals himself to them.
In our American context, you will have a hard time finding someone who doesn’t know anything about Jesus. Yet, there are few that look to him for any kind of healing. What are they waiting for? Some wait for a more convenient season. Some wait for signs and wonders. Some wait to be compelled. Some wait for a revival. Some wait for particular feelings. Some wait for a celebrity. Some wait until their life is a wreck. Most, however, simply don’t see their need. Unlike the invalid by the pool, they don’t know just how sick they are.
Do you remember when you found out about your “condition”? Perhaps you are still struggling with your spiritual diagnosis or know someone who is. After all, a death sentence is a hard pill to swallow. Good thoughts can’t cure it…nor can good deeds. Church attendance is nice…but not a cure. A priest or a pastor can comfort you…but they can’t save you. There is only one cure, and his name is Jesus. He stands at the door to a sinner’s heart and knocks. He has only one question:
“Do you want to be healed?”
