When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?” John 5:6 NABRE
Jesus in Jerusalem is near a pool that is known to have waters with curative powers. There He sees a man who has been laying ill for thirty-eight years. This man must be paralyzed because he is unable to get in the pool of water when the water is stirred up. It seems this is the moment to be the first in the water if you want to be cured. This man has no one who will help him, certainly he must have no family member or friend who is willing to stay there to help him when it is time to get in the pool. But this man never gives up, for thirty-eight years he lays by the pool of water in the remote hope he would get in the water first and be healed. Having a disability is completely devastating for someone in the time of Jesus ministry. He likely had nothing else he could do but hope for healing to become a person not a disabled alien. I suppose being there was helpful for him to receive sustenance, there must have been those who would bring food, or share meals with those who stay by the pool who are disabled. Jesus seeing the man, and apparently knowing he was ill for a long time, asks, “Do you want to be well?“
It seems a silly question, he stays thirty-eight years hoping to be well, but this is Jesus way. He already knows what is best for the man, Jesus knows what is best for us, but Jesus doesn’t force what is best on him or us. Jesus asks, He invites, He encourages, but always we have to decide to accept Jesus help. Freedom to choose what we want and whose we are is important. Jesus will always invite, but never demand.
Do you appreciate the freedom you are given by God? Do you choose Jesus invitation, daily?
Jesus asks, He invites, He encourages, but always we have to decide to accept Jesus help. Freedom to choose what we want and whose we are is important. Jesus will always invite, but never demand. Click To Tweet#bible #godisgreat #jesus #christianity #dailybibleverse @youversion #BeAnEncourager #choose #accept #John #everybodyalways #god #jesuschrist #jesussaves #godisgood #dailydevotion #biblestudy #scripture #bibleverse #verseoftheday #cross #last #Matthew #loveeachother #godisgreat #thisVineyard #youversion #everythingalways