Do You Want to Change?

Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda, which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:2-6 ESV). Have you ever wished your life could change? Perhaps you have made choices you regret. In our reading today we find a man who had been waiting for 38 years to be healed. He was unable to move. Perhaps he had been paralyzed by an accident. We just don't know. Sometimes, we fall ill because of our own personal choices. The man who fails to eat healthy foods and exercise regularly reaches mid-life and has heart problems. At least a part of his illness is caused by the early life choices he has made. There are many other examples we could cite. Suffice it to say that there can be a connection between what we do and what happens to us. I'm not saying that every person who has problems in life came into those circumstances because of a bad choice; in fact, sometimes they are the victims of someone else's poor choice. However, we do need to accept the fact that when we make our choices, there will be consequences. There are other times when God brings the circumstance into our lives purposefully. It will be used to teach us something or bring him glory as he works it for our good. The Apostle Paul experienced his "thorn in the flesh," it wasn't connected to any particular sin. Yet God did not remove it from him though he asked for healing three times. God's answer was, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my strength is made perfect in weakness" (cf. 2 Corinthians 12:9). Out of a crowd of sick and suffering people waiting for an angel to trouble the pool of water, Jesus selected one man. He didn't preach to everyone. He didn't heal everyone. He went to only one individual and asked a poignant and, in some ways, unexpected question: "Do you want to get well?" It was an important question, because not everyone wants to be made well. Not everyone wants his or her life to change. As long as we think we can work things out on our own, as long we think we will figure life out someday, we'll never be able to trust Him with change. Perhaps that is the most important question for you to answer today. Do you want to change? It absolutely can happen in the power and purpose of Christ. It may not be what you ask for however. The change may be to simply strengthen you in the midst of your present situation. You “incurable” illness may be best left just like that. The real cure is in our spirit and mind. That he will change every time. Then we will possess peace which is the greatest of strengths. Do you want to change? Then ask!