Many sick people around the pool of Bethesda lay in hopes of being the recipients of supernatural healing. Jesus saw an invalid of 38 years there and asked him, "Do you want to get well?" Jesus was not asking for permission to heal him. He instead wanted to know the man's true desire for healing after being invalid for 38 years. Jesus wants to set us free from the miseries and disabilities that bind us. But he cannot help those who do not have the desire to be free. When Jesus saw a seed of desire, he told the man to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. The man obeyed Jesus and was healed. Jesus can set us free from sins and failures as we come to him in faith and trust in his saving power.

The Jewish leaders saw the healing. Instead of praising God, however, they accused the man of breaking the Sabbath. One minute after receiving Jesus' life-giving work, the man got into trouble. Jesus found the man later and warned him to stop sinning. Jesus' concern was not only physical, but salvation oriented. After receiving Jesus' grace, we need to seek, know, and follow Jesus continually.


Application: Lord, heal my besetting sins as I obey your words. Help me seek Jesus and obey his words.
One Word: I want to get well