"Would you like to get well?"
Gee, I dunno, Jesus... let me think about that a moment. Hmmmm... for the past 38 years I've been sick and unable to walk. For 38 years, I've been lying here on this stinking bedroll, on this crowded porch at the holy Temple, waiting for a miracle. For 38 years I've been reduced to begging for food and water. For 38 years I had to give up every shred of dignity. For 38 years my life has been completely hopeless and my legs have been completely helpless. Gosh, Jesus, can I take a rain check on that? I need to think about it for awhile.
Duh... OF COURSE the man wanted to get well!!! What kind of question is that?
But let's look deeper... do we humans really want to be healed of our spiritual afflictions? When it comes down to it, do we really want Jesus to take away our deep addictions to the things of this world? Do we really want to give up our independence and let Him have His way with us? Do we really want to give up the sins that offer us fleeting moments of pleasure and comfort and escape... even a twisted (if not guilt-ridden) sense of self-worth? You see, we may be able to walk physically, but we're all spiritual invalids to some degree. Do we really want to get up and walk in the path of holiness God has in mind for us, or deep down, do we prefer to just lie there and give up on the idea?
It sucks to be helpless and hopeless, of course... but at least it doesn't take much energy or faith. Getting up and walking on spiritual legs however, takes real guts. It takes a tremendous amount of work if we're going to get anywhere according to God's will. I wish it were easier, but it ain't. We all know it's extraordinarily difficult to trust and obey God on any kind of consistent basis.
So, I ask again... do we really want to be healed, knowing God expects us to serve Him once He grants us spiritual strength? When you think about it, laying down, unable to move day after day (after day after day) may not be any fun... but perhaps it's easier - at least for some people - to accept sickness than facing unknown terrors that surely lie ahead if we let God into the areas of our heart He desires to reign over.
Jesus is asking you a simple question with profound implications...
"Would you like to get well? Then, o child of God, you must learn to trust Me with all of who you are... even the deepest, darkest secrets of your life that need to brought to the surface and redeemed by My grace. Trust Me, the Author of Life. Allow Me to heal you with My strength... allow Me to breathe divine words of eternal soul-healing, spirit-filled, resurrection life into the depths of your sickness. Can you do that...? Good... then I'm telling you, stand up, take up your mat and walk!"
Oh so true! Its like, I want to give my whole life to God BUT, only if I still have some things my way. I've got plans. Sure I want to turn those plans over to Him BUT only if he's with me on these plans and does not want to change them because he has different plans. As I'm writing this I feel like there is a trust and control issue.
ReplyDelete"Do you WANT to be healed?" That is the question.
So Jeff, you got up early today to post this at 5:40 a.m. You must have been chewing on this for a while. I would do well to do the same.
ReplyDeleteI think that sometimes we can not see far enough into our fog to be able to say what we want? We can be faithful and do what we think needs to be done... but not always can we see that God may have an easier way? Pick up your mat and walk....but... I was waiting for the water to be right, or the angel hasn't touched me yet or no one is here to help me into the pool. I guess that I still think that the man got God's blessing and was healed...because he was where he was... it only took 28 years to really hear what God was telling him? It may have been that he figured he needed someone else to help in order to be healed... and no one was willing to help him. Jesus took the time to help him realize that he is our only real help.
ReplyDeleteJeff,
ReplyDeleteI think this is such a great point to make...are we truly willing to "let go" of our worldly idols AND afflictions and ask Jesus to stand by us every moment of every day. The "Truth" behind healing requires us to come out of the shadows and into the ever-present light of Jesus...how many of us are really willing to do just that, commit to living in that light every moment of every day. It so ties into the story of the rich man who comes to Jesus asking for the keys to salvation. What Jesus asks is too much, leave all that you have and follow me. Let go of the wealth that holds your heart captive and enslaves you. He wasn't able to accept the healing that Jesus offered. The difference between the two men is small, but as Jesus said, I have come for the broken. He knew how much greater the harvest is when we are broken enough to not have anywhere else to turn but to him. The rich man, because he wasn't broken, couldn't say, Jesus, I want you to heal me!
Thanks Jeff,
P
"Getting up and walking on spiritual legs takes guts"...I love this, Jeff! There have been times in my life that I have done that. Interestingly, though, it was at times when there was much sorrow and grief, and my focus was "I have to get through this"...of course I now know that it was ONLY because of the realization that Jesus Christ was the reason I could get up, that I was able to function at all. It wasn't me getting through anything, only Him giving me whatever I needed to move through great sadness.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous... you said it right...He knows how much greater the harvest is when we are broken enough to turn to Him. Such beauty in the midst of so much pain.
In recovery, we say "someone can only begin the healing process when the pain exceeds the fear of change!"
ReplyDeleteI have heard many addicts say no to this question because at least the pain they are experiencing something that is familiar to them.
Admitting that you want to get well means that you have to admit the ailment, then deal with it. Denial is no longer an option and oh how we love that.
Admission takes us from darkness into light and the light can be so intimidating. Light reveals things!! UGH!