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“"When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in
this condition for a long time, he asked him, "Do you want to get
well?""
- John 5:6
The door handles in the old Chevy had long been broken and 2 of the windows no longer roll down. The seat belts are in knots and there are cigarette burns all over the upholstery. As the young couple look at the car they had just drove onto the lot and then look at the rows and rows of new cars. The salesman walks over and what are the first words from his mouth, "What can I do for you today?" ahhh, duh...it seems quite obvious doesn't it.
Have you
noticed that Jesus had a tendency to ask this or similar questions prior to
many of his miracles? To the blind man, "What will you have me do?" ;
to the boy with the fish and loves, "How many do you have?"; or to
the woman caught in adultery, "Woman, where are your accusers?"
Rhetorical questions from the Almighty, or something deeper? I propose that it was something deeper. He
could have easily cast out the demons, healed the sick and lame, and brought
love to the accused without even saying a word.
No, there
was a purpose to everything that Jesus said and this was no different. First,
these events in the public’s eye were teaching opportunities. Having the individual publicly acknowledge their faith in God for healing and salvation
demonstrated to all those observing the need for faith. Furthermore, it
demonstrated the relationship between Jesus Christ and man-kind, that we can
ask anything and with belief and faith in the Son of God, it will come to pass.
Secondly, I
propose that Jesus was truly asking them if they truly wanted to leave their
old ways. We all have the opportunity to bring our weakness', shortcomings and
sinful nature to Jesus for healing. Yet, for some reason we choose not to, or
we give it lip service and inside really want to hang on to it. I know someone
who struggles with pornography, and is angry with God for not removing the
temptation from his life. Yet he is the one moving the mouse and typing the URL
to go to those places. He may have asked to be rid of his sinful nature, but I
can picture Jesus Christ standing behind him, looking over his shoulder saying,
"Do you want to be healed?" Deep inside it is unlikely that he truly
wants to give it up.
Prayers are
said with the best intentions in mind, but unless our heart and our mind are in
sync with the request, in James 4:3 we discover "You ask and do not
receive, because you ask amiss, that you might spend it on your
pleasures." He's asking you, "Do you truly want to be healed?"
Let your heart and mind come together with a solid "Yes". He's shown
us numerous times in the scriptures where He will give to those with pure
intentions. We can't have it both ways folks. Commit to the Lord and turn away
from your sins and He will deliver upon His promises.
PRAYER:
Father,
Your word is clear Lord that you are desiring
our full commitment. As we learn from this scripture to search ourselves and
our true intent before coming to You in prayer, help us to reach that place.
Build within each of us the desire and courage to look at our sinful nature
with the direct purpose to be rid of it and serve You wholeheartedly.
Strengthen our resolve Lord to not hold onto those things that prevent us from being
in full service to You. Break the bonds of satan on our lives that we might
rejoice with You in fulfilling our desires. For it is through the power of Your
Son- Jesus Christ that we are redeemed and made whole again. - Amen
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