“Would you like to get well?” What kind of a question is that? Jesus asks a man who has been ill for 38 years if he wants to get well. First of all, I can’t imagine being sick for that long. What kind of life had that man had? If he didn’t have anyone to put him in the water, who brought him to the pool or took care of him?
Sometimes we get stuck on details that aren’t important. But this is one of the “signs” that John uses to show Jesus’ power. We should take notice of what happens, details and all. We can get to know Jesus and his character, get a glimpse of God by watching Jesus. What do we see here?
First of all, Jesus knew how long the man had been sick. We can’t hide or pretend. Jesus knows all. We can speculate then that Jesus wanted to know why he was still sick. This pool was known to have special healing powers at certain times when the water “bubbles up.” So Jesus asks him, “Would you like to get well?” Wouldn’t you think the man’s response would be a resounding “Yes!”?
Instead, the man gives Jesus an excuse. The man had settled for being sick. In 38 years he hadn’t thought of a single solution to get in that water first. Perhaps he liked being sick? Perhaps it was easier to be sick because he knew what it was like, it was familiar. What would he do if he got well? Do we ever settle for what is familiar even if it’s not what’s best for us?
Well, Jesus wasn’t going to let another minute keep this man from being healed. He didn’t seem to give it a thought that it was the Sabbath. He told the man to get up, and go, and take his mat with him. Apparently carrying a mat is considered “work” that shouldn’t be allowed on the Sabbath. Jesus conveniently blended in with the crowd so as to avoid a confrontation with the Jewish leaders.
What happens next is a bit perplexing. Jesus finds the man in the crowd and tells him, “Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.” What does the man do? He goes and tells the Jewish leaders who healed him. Was that like tattling or more like pointing the finger to avoid being in trouble?
We’ll read more about what happens next tomorrow. But for now, think about what has just happened. A man has just been healed. He doesn’t seem all that grateful, does he? And he has to go on his way and stop sinning. Do you think he did?
This story shows us that God reaches out to us no matter how long we have been away from him. He can heal any sickness. He wants our obedience. He wants us to try and stop sinning. Our nature is sinful, so it does take concentration and devotion. Sometimes we sin “on purpose” and sometimes we sin without even realizing it. It’s those “on purpose” times he is talking about.
Even if we have not received miraculous healing, we should rejoice in our own forgiveness.
Let’s pray. Father God, I thank you for redeeming me and setting me free from the bondage of sin. I know I stumble every day, and for that, I am sorry and ask for your forgiveness. If anything I do or say is not pleasing to you, I am sorry. May I be more attentive to my actions. May the words of my mouth be uplifting and helpful. I want to have a grateful heart for all that you have done for me. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
