Written in Redਨਮੂਨਾ

"One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. 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 5:5-6, NIV

It’s an interesting question Jesus asked this man, wasn’t it? It was especially so given what we know about this man. He’d been sick for an incredibly long time—38 years to be exact! That’s a long time to be trapped in your own body. A long time to suffer, a long time to struggle, a long time to wonder if things will ever get better. With that in mind, common sense would be screaming that the obvious answer to Jesus’ question here is a loud, “Yes!” It must make you wonder: Why did Jesus even ask?! It’s important to note that Jesus wasn’t just asking about this man’s physical health—He was asking about the state of this man’s heart.

Of course, physically, this man wanted to be healed. Who wouldn’t? But Jesus essentially asked something bigger: “Is your heart open to receive what I can give you?” It’s a question He’s asking us daily too. Not about our physical sickness, but about the state of our hearts. Are we really ready to be healed? Are we really ready to receive the full life only Jesus can offer us? Are our hearts really open to Him? When they are, that’s when true healing can come. Today, pray about a situation you’re struggling through right now. Ask Jesus to open your heart to His work in that area of your life.