The Surprising Question

In John 5 there is a paralyzed man who has gone to a place that has a reputation for healing. But he has never been healed. As a matter of fact, he has experienced his paralysis for thirty-eight years—clearly a chronic condition. Jesus, the great healer, goes to him and asks a startling question “Do you want to get well?” Part of me thinks well of course he does, he’s been disabled for 38 years - of course he wants to get well. However, after over thirty years of ministry experience, I no longer believe that desire is present in every person. Sometimes a trauma, injury, hurt, betrayal becomes such a part of a person’s identity that they do not want to be well. They might even desperately cling to their trauma.
One example, our country is filled with millions who struggle with various addictions. Whether it’s alcohol, drugs, food, porn or even toxic relationships. Each of these things offers some kind of pay-off, some benefit that the person wants whether it’s the high or the pleasure of looking at naked bodies. And sometimes there are individuals who do not want to give up that pay-off despite the high price. I have talked with battered women who insist the boyfriend who beats them really loves them despite all the evidence. I have heard the alcoholic talk about how they are shy and reserved without alcohol but the life of the party with some liquid courage. I have listened to those for whom their victimhood garners attention. I have heard the cutter when they cry “I just want to feel something, even if it is pain.” Jesus is not heartless to ask this man “do you want to get well?” but wise. He does not want to waste a miracle on someone who would rather stay as he is. And while most of us have never performed a miracle, we do not want to invest time, effort and energy into a person who has no desire to change, grow and pursue health.
Jesus discerns that this man will take a step towards health if given the chance. Therefore, he boldly tells him, “Pick up your mat and walk.” Shockingly the man’s legs which have not been able to carry him for thirty eight years strengthened and he jumped up in obedience. This incident is a stunning story of the power of God, Jesus showing a clear sign that he was the long-awaited Jewish Messiah and Son of God. But it is also a story about the power of faith and human cooperation. That man could have stayed seated and given multiple reasons why picking up his mat and walking was not an option, but he listened, obeyed and reaped the reward.
For me there is some real mystery here about our part and God’s part of healing, but at the very least we can say we must cooperate with God’s power to see it displayed in our lives. I love to listen to the author Nick Vujicic, a man born with no arms and no legs. He said for years he prayed for God to dramatically heal his condition. Apparently, God consistently said no. Yet Nick said just in case he bought a new pair of tennis shoes he keeps in his closet, hoping God decides to dramatically answer his prayers for wholeness, I love that. Where does God want me to grow in health? What about you? Why do we hesitate? My prayer today is “Lord, give us the faith of a paralyzed man” who when Jesus told him to pick up his mat and walk, he did not hesitate! I am unsure of the next step you should take, but I think you know. Isn’t it time for you to rise up and be all God has called you to be?
Pastor Derek Dickinson
Journey Christian Church