Thursday, October 1, 2009

Strange Question

Reading my Bible this morning I came across something that really stuck in my mind.
In John 5:5-6 it says, "One of the men lying there had been sick for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him and knew he had been ill for a long time, He asked him, 'Would you like to get well?'"
This man had been sick longer than I have been alive. He had suffered for most of his life. I think it is a strange question that Jesus asks. We think when we read this, well of course he wants to get well. I think the reason Jesus asked him this is because the man had probably given up all hope that he would ever get better. He had lost his hope for his miracle. He had gotten used to living with his sickness and it had become a part of his identity. The sickness defined his life. What he could and could not do. I think Jesus was trying to get him to think differently.
I think Jesus was trying to give him hope. Hope that life could be better, hope that his life could change. Hope that his life was more than just his sickness. He had to get him to think in his mind even for a half second that life could be different. That moment changed everything for Jesus then said to him, "Get up! Start Walking!"
It was in that instant moment faith being released and Jesus healing the sick man.
What situation in your life have you gotten used to living with? What area in your life do you need to release that moment of faith? Have you lost hope that things can get better? Stir up your faith and bring it to Jesus. Jesus is asking you, "Do you want to get better?"

1 comment:

Warren Baldwin said...

Didn't know you had a blog until I just saw in on your FB page.

Good point here: "The sickness defined his life. What he could and could not do. I think Jesus was trying to get him to think differently."

That is what Jesus tries to do for all of us, isn't it! Very good article.

wb