You asked for it!

Here's another sample of the revisions.... 

John 5

What does God require of us?

I have to ask myself.  Does God heal for my good or for His?  If it’s for mine, which I believe is the case, why does He ask if I want it?  Take a minute and read John 5:1-9. In this passage John tells the story of man healed of his physical ailments, but ultimately it points to salvific healing.  Jesus heals the man in order to bring him into relationship with His creator.  

I must confess that there is sin in my life.  I don’t necessarily like to talk about it, but it is true nonetheless.  Sin is a sickness.  It is something that requires healing.  Because I have read it in Scripture I know that because sin in my life causes death.  This is true not only for me, but for everyone.  I argue that Jesus healed the man in John 5 because He wanted him ultimately free from sin and knew by healing his physical ailments, the man would trust Him to heal his sin. The question remains:   Why does Jesus ask, why doesn’t He just do it?  

In the above passage Jesus approaches the man who had been sick for 38 years and asks in verse 6, “Do you wish to get well?”  At first it may seem like a silly question.  Of course he would want to get well.  Why would anyone want to stay in sickness?  Or better question, why would anyone want to stay in sin?  

Ironically, this question begs another question.  Why do people stay in their sickness when Jesus offers us a hand up?  All people are sick.  We are sick with sin.  But healing is available.  Unfortunately, instead of getting healed for good, we take ‘medicines” to temporarily feel better.  We make excuses, ignore it, look to relationships, turn to artificial substance, or dive head first into our jobs.  These medicines merely numb the real problem, therefore causing us to put up with the sickness. 

The man in the passage tells Jesus he has no way of getting to the water, to the help he thinks he needs.  He does not even consider that Jesus is there to help him.  The man does want to be healed.  Do you?  As soon as he admitted he needed help, Jesus commanded him to get up and go.  The man then had to follow Jesus’ instructions in faith and allow the healing to take place.  And it did.  

Once a person accepts Christ’s help, the sickness is healed.  However, the “germs” (or inclination to sin) and symptoms (the natural consequences of sin) remain, requiring us to continually ask for His help.  In what areas of your life is Jesus offering healing?  Is there any area Jesus is currently asking you to pick up your mat and walk?  

Lord, I cannot do this alone.  When left to my own devices I continue to sin and live my life full of spiritual sickness.  Please help me.  Guide me in the direction of Yourself and heal me from the causes of sin.  Amen