Do You Want to Be Healed?Sample

When I was a kid, I thought grown-ups had all the answers. I thought they were geniuses who always knew what they were doing. If you're a grown-up living in these times, you know how wrong I was back then.

I remember attending church as a child and seeing all the adults dressed in suits, ties, and dresses. Looking at how put-together they were on the outside, I assumed they were equally put-together on the inside. How little did I know!

I stumbled on an article by Marshall Hayden entitled "Would Every Non-Hurter Please Stand Up?" He described how people come to church looking put-together on the outside while internally carrying real hurt and pain.

We're all dealing with something. It could be financial struggles, health concerns, or relationship problems. Maybe you’re struggling with questions about your faith. Perhaps you're in a marriage that was not doing well, and you recently got hit with another crisis. Or you might just be exhausted and worn out, wondering when you’ll ever get a chance to rest.

I want you to finish this sentence: "I wonder if Christ could heal my _____."

Put a word in that blank. What's that place where you're praying Christ would bring His healing power?

In John 5, we find Jesus encountering a man who had been an invalid for 38 years. This man was at the pool of Bethesda, which means "House of Mercy." He was brought there with the expectation that he might experience healing. But he had been waiting for 38 years - a little less than my lifetime.

That's a long time to battle a problem or struggle. You may have been wrestling with your issue for weeks, months, or even years. If so, take comfort in knowing you're not alone.

Jesus approached this man and asked an obvious question: "Do you want to be healed?" This question might sound strange initially - of course, he wanted to be healed! But Jesus is the master question-asker. His questions cut to the heart of our condition and reveal our deepest needs.

Sometimes, when we're hurting, we get so used to our pain that it becomes part of our identity. We may even develop coping methods that, while not ideal, have become comfortable. Jesus' question challenges us to examine whether we genuinely want the healing He offers, especially if it means leaving behind our familiar ways of thinking and living.

What would you say if Jesus asked you that question today? Do you want to be healed? The answer might not be as straightforward as you think. Because to find healing, you first have to acknowledge you're sick.

Tomorrow, we'll explore how our problems are often bigger and more profound than we realize and how Jesus wants to address areas we might not even recognize need healing.