“Do you wish to get well?” 

It’s a question Jesus asked a man who could not walk for 38 years in John 5:6. This man was at a place waiting for just the right moment to get in the pool for the healing properties of the water. One would think such a question would come with a simple yes. That is the whole reason for him being there, waiting for what could have been years, to get well. Jesus being Jesus would have known the answer to this question. 

Yet He asked it. 

He didn’t ask it for His benefit. He asked because the man needed it. It’s a question that involves much more than a simple yes. If Jesus were to heal this man (which He did), would this man be willing to take responsibility for himself and get a job, would this man be willing to give up his identity as a victim, would this man be willing to move forward with his life and not live in the past? This man didn’t give a simple answer. This man didn’t know who he was talking to (John 5:13). He didn’t know that this “Sir” could heal him instantly. This man explained his situation (Jesus already knows it) and how he had nobody to help him into the water. This man didn’t display any amount of faith that Jesus could heal him (remember this man didn’t know Jesus).

Yet He healed him.

Jesus told this man to get up, to pick up his bed, and walk. This man did just that. He didn’t question it. He didn’t hesitate. He didn’t offer any excuses. This man did not need the water in that pool anymore. He needed that “living water” that only Jesus can provide (John 4:10). This man was no longer found at the pool. He was found in the temple (John 5:14). This man was made well. 

“Do you wish to get well?”

It’s a simple question that keeps swirling in my mind. I don’t think anyone of us would say “no”. It would be wonderful to not have the physical illnesses anymore like the man in John 5. It would be wonderful to not hold onto any of our hurt, whether physical or emotional, ever again, to just give it all to Jesus and “walk away” just like this man. We have plenty of examples throughout scripture to help us “walk away” from our burdens and cares.

“Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22

“Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6,7

“Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.” 1 Peter 5:6,7

Yet we still struggle.

Jesus cares for us just as much as He did that man in John 5. While Jesus is not physically standing in front of us asking us “do you wish to get well?”, He can and will take every struggle we hand over to Him. But we need to hand it ALL over to Him and not look back. The man in John 5 didn’t say “just heal one leg” or “maybe just my big toe”. Jesus healed him completely. This man didn’t go back to the pool the next day waiting for the stirring of the water after he was healed. Jesus found him in the temple. This man gave all of his hurt to Jesus and moved on.

Yet we hang on.

I know it’s not easy for us to hand all of it over to Jesus and move on. Believe me, I have held onto some of the hurt and have picked back up many things that I have given to Jesus. It’s like I’m telling Jesus “I don’t really want to be well”. “I need to hang onto that hurt for a little while longer”. “I wasn’t done with that”.

Yet Jesus still offers help.

Hanging on to our hurt is not what Jesus wants for us. He wants to carry our burdens. He wants to guard our minds and our hearts. He wants to give us rest. He wants us to get well. When I start reaching for that hurt, maybe it’s best if I try to stop and ask myself the question Jesus asked… “Do you wish to get well?”

“O LORD my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me.” Psalm 30:2

By: Kristina Odom