HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in JohnSample

We Must Participate

Jewish traditional customs often involve immersion in water for purposes of cleansing and/or healing. In these verses, we approach the Pool of Bethesda in the city of Jerusalem, a pool in which many believed they could be healed if they were able to enter the water at certain times. (Note: remains of this pool are still visible today.) Despite the likelihood of there being many folks at the pool that day with many different obvious ailments, John describes how Jesus directed His attention to one man, a man lying beside the pool who had been an invalid for 38 years! When Jesus approached the man, the one simple question He asked him was: “Do you want to get well?” This may seem to be a strange question to those nearby because it seems obvious why the man is lying there. Maybe we should look closely at the man’s initial response, “Sir, I have no one to help me. Someone else gets ahead of me.” The fellow made excuses that involved other people. Instead of responding to his excuses, Jesus simply commanded, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk!” Miraculously, the man did just that!  

During our healing process, let’s do what we can to participate in our healing. Let’s not make excuses, or blame someone else, if there are things we can be doing for ourselves to promote healing. For example, God may encourage someone with Type II Diabetic to treat his/her body as the Temple of the Holy Spirit by eating “God-made” foods and exercising to become stronger. It may not be in their best interest for God to miraculously heal rather than coach and teach him/her along the path to a healthier future. What we feast on, body and soul, will make a remarkable impact on our overall well-being. Let’s be diligent in doing the obvious: making wise food choices, exercising regularly, and leaving the supernatural to Him.

QUESTIONS:

1. What kind of excuses am I making for my own healing? What has God pressed on my heart to do?
2. How could I improve my habits for a healthier future?
3. What kind of help do I need from God that will help me to make those changes?