Like many there are times we need help and may find ourselves unable to do what we ought to or should. Somehow we may not perceive total wellness or wholeness in our lives even if that’s our desire. The point being we don’t want to be faltering Christians.
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, “Do you wish to get well” (John 5:6)?
Why would Jesus ask the lame man if he wanted to get well? We would just assume wellness would be everyone’s desire. So why would someone want to remain in a particular predicament, or way of life?
To begin with the lame man was most likely in his comfort zone. At the same time his predicament may have garnered sympathy, attention, excuses for idleness, even excuses to avoid responsibilities.
Secondly, his situation may have provided a source of financial support from those wanting to help or those who pitied him. As a result of the lame man remaining in this state for many years, Jesus probed his heart, “Do you wish to get well?”
Likewise we may have to ask ourselves the same question at various points in our lives. “Do we wish to get well?” We can be holding onto something that is not healthy for us. Something that robs us of wellness; spiritually, emotionally, and mentally.
Perhaps you don’t want to let go of a sin in your life. Perhaps you enjoy that sin, or it has become a part of your identity. Mind you this could be an inward sin of the heart or an outward behavior.
We may say God cannot help me, or I cannot change this is just the way I am. Then again the circumstances may seem impossible, unchangeable, and overwhelming. Better not to even take that first step to attaining wellness.
“For God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline” (2 Timothy 1:7). We can hold ourselves back from the place of wellness.
What is holding you back? In essence, it is usually fear of some kind. The fear of the unknown, or fear of change, or fear of having to change.
Of course the “fear factor” is usually the main culprit which trips so many of us up. Clearly there comes a time when the shackles need to be removed.
The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred, but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (John 5:7).
He had no one to help him, but was he blaming others for not achieving wellness? Maybe we can legitimately blame others for our predicament. In the end, though, no man can carry us, only Jesus.
Jesus said to him, “Arise, take up your pallet and walk” (John 5:8). Sure enough the lame man took the first step to wellness.
By all means this took courage. He may not have had a place to call home, or a way to make a living, but he took the first step and got up. That is all God asks of us. Take the first step, attempt to do it. Then God will enable us to do what seems impossible for us.
Next Jesus told him to take up his pallet. Therefore, with the pallet removed he could not return to the same predicament. In the same way something may have to be removed from our lives so we don’t fall back into the same situation.
To be specific get rid of the roadblocks. The roadblocks that stop you from letting go of an addiction, a bad habit, unhealthy relationships, or unhealthy lifestyles. If there is trauma from your past, confront it and let God heal your heart, mind, and emotions.
Lastly, Jesus told the lame man to walk. Perhaps you have to walk away from a situation, or dismiss something or someone from your life. You can then move forward with Jesus.
A final caution, you may get tripped up and stumble on the way. But keep in mind what Solomon wrote, “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again” (Proverbs 24:16).
The story of the lame man sums up the fact that Jesus doesn’t enable his followers. He requires them to get up and do something. If the lame man had not attempted to help himself he would not have achieved wellness. The same applies to us. Knowing this the question remains, “Do you wish to get well?”
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