DO WE REALLY WANT HEALING?

See John 5:1-15


This morning, I read John 5:1-15, the story of an invalid who had been that way for the last 38 years, although, he was not born this way. I have been thinking about something Jesus asks the invalid, "Do you want to get well?" Many peope might ask why would Jesus ask such a thing. After all, WHO WOULD NOT WANT TO BE HEALED, RIGHT?!?! How many times do we say to others, ourselves, and to God I want to be healed? Maybe not from a physical ailment but maybe an addiction or hang-up, a needed attitude adjustment, or anything else we need to let go of. We say we want healing and wholeness, but do we really? I am not saying that as believers we will not struggle with sin at times and temptation is a fact of everyday life. Here, I am referring to long-term bondage, something that has us by the ankle and will not let go or should I say we will not let go, which comes in many forms. Before you are quick to say yes, take some time to do some deep inner inspection. Could it be that we do not really want to let go of whatever is causing you the problem(s) but rather we just do not like some of the side effects or consequences or that you got caught? Let's face it, our hang-ups and addictions do something for us or give us something we need or want, otherwise we would not be hanging on to them. Many times our attitudes, addictions, and hang-ups have become companions that we are comftorable with, faithful friends, even though at least some of the things that accompany them are not wanted or comftorable. We need to search ourself (Lamatations 3:39-42) and ask God to help us examine ourselves for the heart is decietful and who can understand it (Jeremiah 17:9-10). May we discover the true source of our appetities (desires) and let our heavenly Father fill our appetities with what He sees fit instead of the empty and worthless cisterns that we refuse to let go of (Jeremiah 2:5).

REMEMBER GOD IS SUFFICIENT FOR ALL THINGS!!! PSALM 103

Side Note: The invalid's injury had apparently been caused in some way by sin in the invalid's life when he was young (John 5:14). Just like the man's sin led him into physical bondage, our sin can lead us into emotional and spiritual bondage and maybe even physical bondage like the invalid.