Day 20: John 5

Healing.

Do you want to get well? This is a key question, because our lives look quite a bit like the pool at Bethesda. If we could peel back the outward, physical shell and look at the spiritual nature of things, we would see a scene very much like this. While many are strong physically, their spiritual state is that they are lying around, helpless. This is no way to live. Broken. Hurting. Shamed. Alone. Disconnected. Not when God has so much more in store for us.

When Jesus sees us, the appropriate question is "Do you want to get well?" There are some who do not. They are content to lie there. They have no ambition to change. Others long to see abundant life; they want to live, not just experience some shell of living. They want to get well.

Just as the key to healing for the paralytic was Jesus, the key for finding the life we seek lies in Jesus. It has been the focus of the work of the Godhead to secure our souls. The Father has planned it for all of eternity. He is working today to make it happen in lives all around us. The Son is also working. He came to secure life for us, by giving His in our place. He is standing in our place even now, interceding for us. He has ascended to Heaven and sent the Holy Spirit. Today the Spirit is working to draw people to God, to convict them of their sin, to show them that they fall short of God's righteousness, and to convince them of the coming judgement. God is working to save our souls.

How is this salvation secured? How are we made well? Just as the paralytic on the mat was healed by hearing and believing Jesus' command to get up and walk, we are healed by hearing and believing His word. Jesus has finished the work. He has died as a sacrifice for our sin. He has secured forgiveness and healing for us.

All that remains is for us to believe. "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word an believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life" (vs. 24). Jesus heals our brokenness and gives us strength to walk. We are to hear and obey. Just as the man responded by carrying his mat, we are to follow as He gives us direction.

He offers life. Do you want to get well?