When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?”—John 5:6
Jesus asked a man a question that appears to have had an obvious answer. Jesus came upon a man who had been lame for thirty-eight years and who was sitting beside a pool of healing. Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed. Why would Jesus ask such an obvious question?
Perhaps the answer is not so clear. Bartimaeus was blind, yet when he cried out for Jesus to have mercy on him, Jesus asked what he wanted Him to do as we see in Mark 10:51
51 Then Jesus answered him, “What do you want Me to do for you?”
“Rabbouni,” the blind man told Him, “I want to see!”
It would have seemed apparent that the foremost concern of a blind person would be to receive sight. There were times, however, when Jesus considered it important for people to verbalize their needs and specifically ask Him to heal them.
Just because we are spiritually sick, or just because we are near a place of healing, does not necessarily mean we want to be made well. Interesting thought, isn’t it?
For example, we may attend church regularly, but choose to remain sinful. We seem to have taken many of the activities that the Bible identifies as sin and have labeled them as addictions or character flaws or the result of an abusive upbringing.
We act as if having an addiction is a sufficient excuse for disobeying God's commands. As Christians, we are no longer helpless victims of our sins. There is no sinful habit or past hurt that is beyond the healing touch of our Lord.
Have you gone year after year without receiving spiritual healing? God is capable of freeing you, but you may have become comfortable in your sin. You may not want to be healed. If you really want to receive spiritual health, God can give it today. He wants you to ask Him.
You know He wants the world to ask Him. He wants all the world to come to Him through Jesus Christ. That is the reason He sent His only Son. You and I are to tell others about Him. We often say, and it is true, that the only hope for the world is Jesus Christ. That is perfectly correct. Yet, there is that satanic influence in the world.
It may be hard for you because I know it is hard for me and that is to know that there are so many people in the world who are so influenced. The world continues to become a more anti-Christian place. We should not be surprised by this fact. Scriptures are clear as to what the end times, at least in general, will be like. I have spoken about this before and for the purpose of this blog, I am not going to say anymore.
Scriptures tell us what things will be like and even get worse. We can certainly see that occurring today. It seems to be getting worse at a much more rapid pace than any time in history.
I am not concerned with a nuclear war. Scripture does not indicate an end to this world and mankind in that way. I am not concerned about climate change. Again, Scripture does not indicate an end to this world and mankind in that way.
Am I concerned about world war? Yes, because that is a real possibility and has happened since the beginning of time. Am I concerned that there is nothing we can do except pray and witness? No, that is all we can do.
All we can do is what God provides for us to do. Then we have to leave it all in His hands. He knows and we don't. Trial and tribulation are common unto man. So we find those times and places in life where we can rest in His peace and comfort. Admit and recognize all of the chaos around us, but trust in the Lord and His provision.
The Psalmist knew this well in the midst of all he faced. Today, as I was reading God's Word these words from Psalm 130, blessed me and I trust they do the same for you today.
“From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer. Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.” Psalms 130:1-4 NLT
There is a great hymn of faith that comes to mind right
now. "I know whom I have believed". The first verse and refrain state it well for me today
I know not why God’s wondrous grace To me He hath made known, Nor why, unworthy, Christ in love Redeemed me for His own.
Refrain: But “I know Whom I have believed, And am persuaded that He is able To keep that which I’ve committed Unto Him against that day.”
God bless and trust you have a great day in the Lord. Enjoy the privilege this Sunday of worship in your church.
In God's Grace,
Elbert Nasworthy
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