"Do You Want to Get Well?" (John 5:6)

Introduction:

Good morning, church.

Today, we will explore a powerful question that Jesus asked: "Do you want to get well?" from John 5:6, (6 When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be made well?”)

This question was posed to a man who had been ill for 38 years, lying by the pool of Bethesda, waiting for a miracle.

However, this question isn't just for that man—it's a question that Jesus asks each of us today.

1. The Condition of the Man

(John 5:1-5)

After this there was a festival of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate there is a pool, called in Hebrew Beth-zatha, which has five porticoes. 3 In these lay many invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. 5 One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years.

The first thing we observe is the condition of the man at the pool.

He was physically unwell, likely paralyzed or crippled, unable to move on his own.

For 38 years, he had been waiting by the pool, hoping that when the waters stirred, he might get his chance at healing.

A. Prolonged Pain This man had been suffering for nearly four decades. The weight of his illness had robbed him of hope, freedom, and mobility. We can imagine the discouragement, day after day, as he watched others receive healing while he remained stuck in his misery.

Sometimes, we too experience prolonged suffering—not just physical, but emotional, mental, or spiritual pain. We may feel stuck, unable to move forward, carrying the weight of guilt, fear, or past failures. Just as the man felt helpless in his condition, many today feel paralyzed by circumstances, habits, or struggles.

B. Limited Perspective The man had a very narrow view of how he could be healed. He thought that the only way he could be made well was through the waters of the pool. When Jesus asked him, "Do you want to get well?" he didn’t immediately say "Yes!" Instead, he explained why it hadn’t been possible for him to be healed—he had no one to help him into the pool.

How often do we limit God’s ability to work in our lives because we are stuck on one solution? We think our healing, our success, or our peace has to come in a specific way. But Jesus invites us to look beyond our limited perspective and see that He is greater than our circumstances.

2. The Compassion of the Master

(John 5:6-8) Next, we see the compassion of Jesus. He saw the man, knew his condition, and approached him. Jesus didn’t wait for the man to cry out for help; He initiated the conversation with a question: "Do you want to get well?"

A. Jesus Sees Us This simple act of Jesus seeing the man is significant. Jesus didn’t just see a sick person—He saw his struggle, his heartache, and his years of suffering. And just as Jesus saw this man, He sees each of us. He knows our struggles, our burdens, and our pain. He sees the things we’ve carried for years that no one else may fully understand.

The compassion of Jesus is not passive. It moves Him to action. He doesn’t ignore our pain, and He doesn’t leave us in our broken state. He offers healing, restoration, and transformation.

B. The Question of Desire Jesus' question, "Do you want to get well?" is deeply profound. At first glance, it seems unnecessary—of course, the man wants to get well, right? But Jesus is probing deeper. He’s asking, “Do you really want to change? Are you ready to leave behind this way of life and step into something new?”

This question requires self-examination. Sometimes, we may say we want to be well, but in reality, we’ve grown comfortable in our brokenness. The familiar, even if painful, can feel safer than the unknown of a new life in Christ. Jesus challenges us to consider whether we truly desire the healing He offers, and whether we are ready to embrace the change that comes with it.

3. The Call to Move Forward

(John 5:8-9) After the man responds, Jesus gives him a simple but powerful command: "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." And immediately, the man was healed.

A. Active Faith Notice that the healing didn’t come until after the man responded to Jesus' command. Jesus didn’t lift him up or carry him; He called the man to respond in faith. Healing was available, but the man had to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. This demonstrates the active nature of faith—faith that requires action.

In our own spiritual lives, Jesus calls us to step out in faith. We can’t remain lying in our pain, waiting for change to come to us. We must respond to the call of Jesus to get up, leave behind what has kept us bound, and walk in the newness of life He offers.

B. Leaving the Old Behind Jesus specifically told the man to pick up his mat and walk. Why is that significant? The mat represented the man’s old way of life—38 years of lying in one place, paralyzed by his condition. By picking up the mat, the man was symbolically leaving behind his past and stepping into a new future.

For us, the call of Jesus often involves leaving something behind. It might be a habit, a mindset, a grudge, or a comfort zone. We are called to pick up our mats and walk away from the things that have held us back, trusting that Jesus’ healing is not just physical, but spiritual and emotional.

Conclusion:

As we reflect on this story, let’s return to the question Jesus asked: "Do you want to get well?" This is a question for each of us today.

Are we willing to acknowledge our condition, whatever it may be—whether it’s physical illness, spiritual stagnation, or emotional wounds?Do we believe in the compassion of the Master, that Jesus sees us, knows our struggles, and offers healing?Are we ready to respond to the call to move forward, to get up, pick up our mats, and walk in faith, leaving behind what has kept us bound?

The beauty of this story is that the same Jesus who healed the man by the pool is the same Jesus who offers us healing today. His power hasn’t diminished, and His love hasn’t faded. The question is, do we want to be well? Do we want to experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers?

If your answer is "yes," then today is the day to respond. Today is the day to get up, pick up your mat, and walk in the freedom and healing that Jesus provides. Let’s not stay by the pool any longer—let’s move forward in faith, trusting that Jesus is more than able to make us whole.

Invitation: If you are ready to respond to the call of Jesus, we invite you to come forward as we stand and sing. Whether you need physical healing, emotional restoration, or spiritual renewal, Jesus is asking you today: "Do you want to get well?" Will you respond in faith?