Do you really want to get well?

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Selfcare”

Our Bible verse for today: “One man was there who had been disabled for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and realized he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:5-6 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “Do you really want to get well?

It was an odd question for Jesus to ask this man, “Do you want to get well?” They were in Jerusalem at a pool called Bethesda. Periodically the waters of the pool would begin churning and it was believed by the people that an angel was stirring the waters and at that time, the waters held magical healing powers. The first one to enter the waters while the angel was stirring would be healed. Therefore, many sick and lame people crowded around the pool every day waiting for the waters to stir and then there would be a mad dash to see who could enter the waters first.

This man was one of those. He was there because he had been disabled for thirty-eight years and he was obviously hoping for healing. So, why would Jesus ask such a question? It was because the man might not really want to be healed. On one level he did want healing or he would not have been there. But if the healing did come, it would bring many dramatic changes. Up to this point, nothing much was expected of or required of the man because he wasn’t able to do much for himself. So, everything was done for him. But if he was healed he would incur the responsibilities of a healthy person. He would have to get a job; he would have to provide for himself and for his family; he could no longer rely on everyone to have pity on him and to do things for him. Jesus was asking, “Are you really ready for the change? Are you ready to incur the responsibility that comes with being well? Do you really want to get well?”

The question is for us too. In the case of this disabled man at the pool that day with Jesus, the question pertained to physical healing. For many of us it pertains to mental, emotional, or spiritual healing. As was noted in the two previous devotionals, sometimes we cling to our old emotional wounds and come to treat them like old friends, even like a little lap puppy that we pet and stroke and keep close to us. The person becomes comfortable in their victimhood and relies on it as an excuse for not living a full, rich, productive life.

The first step to getting well is to truly want to get well. Really. Truly. Want it. And then be willing to embrace all that the healing will bring with it. Tomorrow we will consider the next step in the process of letting it go and moving on with life. For today, spend some time allowing the Holy Spirit to speak to you about this thing you have been holding on to. Ask Him to bring you to the point of really being ready to let it go.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you’re reading in these daily devotionals and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00 – in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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