\u201cDo you WANT to get well?\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
That\u2019s an amazing question. Startling, really. When I first read the story in John 5<\/a> as a kid, it didn\u2019t make sense to me. Jesus comes across a guy who hasn\u2019t been able to walk for decades, who\u2019s lying beside a pool that\u2019s supposed to have healing powers, and then this: <\/p>\n\n\n\n When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him,\u202f\u201cDo you want to get well?\u201d (John 5:6) <\/p>\n\n\n\n As a kid, I\u2019m thinking, OF COURSE he does. Who wouldn\u2019t? What a question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n But now, after decades of observing humans, I\u2019m thinking: Wow. Perfect question. Because not everyone wants to be healed. Not all of us want to get better. In fact, I dare say, most of us don\u2019t. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Physically, sure, most of us want to not be in pain or have a disability. But spiritually, from what I see, most of us would, in fact, rather suffer, and do it our way, than follow God\u2019s way that leads to real peace. It sounds crazy, but it\u2019s how humans often roll. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Jesus tells us how to live. He\u2019s overt about it in the Sermon on the Mount<\/a>. Love your enemies; pray for those who persecute you\u2026 you can read it for yourself. It\u2019s the way to peace<\/a>. Jesus way is better. He is the Way, in fact.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n If we want peace, we\u2019ll do it his way. If we don\u2019t do things his way, we would rather have other things besides peace. It really is that simple. <\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cDo you want to get well?\u201d Seems like a dumb question.
But it\u2019s brilliant. It\u2019s THE question. <\/p>\n\n\n\n