One of the most fascinating stories in the Bible is recorded in the fifth chapter of John. In fact, we get the name of a famous hospital on account of this story, Bethesda. In a strange and miraculous way, people were getting healed by going into this particular pool of water. John shares little about how this healing pool worked from a logistical stand point. But what we do know is this, there were "many" waiting in line to be healed, day after day. In fact, there was one man who had been waiting for his healing to happen for most of his entire life, 38 years!One might suggest that this man was "sick and tired of being sick and tired." And yet, there he waited - again and again. John records that when Jesus saw him he recognized this man and knew that he had been ill for a long time. So here's where I scratch my head. Here's where it gets a bit crazy. Jesus approached this man and he asked the man this question,
"Would you like to get well?"
Doesn't that seem a bit odd to you? Is that really even a question? It would be equivalent to asking a starving man if he would like a bite of your sandwich. And yet, I want to contend that this question is perhaps one of the most important questions that we will ever answer in our lifetime. I would position this question in the top three questions for all of humanity.
WHY?
Because it doesn't allow people to make excuses for their low level of satisfaction. Jesus is not about that. Do you want a life of abundance - or don't you. And yet, we settle for good, when we could have GREAT.
How is your marriage doing? "Well, okay, I guess. We're happy"
How are you doing emotionally? "Well, pretty good, I guess."
How is your health? "Well, not bad, but could be better."
How are you doing in your relationships? "Alright. Could be worse."
That's doesn't sound like abundantly living to me. In fact, it's a pretty sad life.
Do you want to get well?
What an amazing question. And yet the sad fact is this: Some people do not. They are truly afraid of their own healing, so they settle for sickness. And I'm talking about Christians! That's so sad to me. No wonder our "salt" has lost its flavor to this world. No wonder our light is not shining so bright. And even worse, we teach our own children this crazy lesson that goes something like this:
"Even though your marriage is hard, stay in it. It will please God."
We think that by saying this, it pleases the Lord. And sure, it sounds good at first...but what an awful legacy for our kids. I think it grieves the Lord.
Instead...it would be far better to say to our children,
"When your marriage is good, don't settle for that. Instead, go for great!"
Now we're talking.
Jesus is asking us, in every area of our lives, "Do you want to get well?"
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
Then do something about it - today.
GREAT IS STANDING RIGHT NEXT TO YOU. DON'T SETTLE FOR GOOD.
