When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:6

Have you ever imagined what you would ask for if you could have three wishes that would be granted?

At least three times in scripture, Jesus asked people what they wanted from Him.  In Mark 10, a man asked Jesus to restore his eyesight, which Jesus did. Several times, people asked Jesus for a place of prestige in Heaven. But the most interesting story is recorded in the Bible book of John.  Jesus initiated conversation with a crippled man near a bathing pool. The pool was very special, for an angel would come down and stir the water; the first person into the pool then would be healed of disease.  Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?” The man answered that he didn’t have anyone to help him into the water. Jesus healed him at that moment.

Each of these people had different needs when they had the opportunity to ask anything of Jesus. When Jesus asked the crippled man if he wanted to be well, He addressed God’s desire for us and cut through the sometimes short-sighted or vain desires we have. Jesus’ healing means wholeness. Whether our injuries are physical or spiritual, Jesus offers to make us whole through Himself.

Jesus asks if we want to be healed because we do have a choice in the matter. His offer of wholeness has little effect if we do not want it for ourselves. Do you want to get well?

 

Resource reading: John 5:1-15