Do you want to be well?
What is stranger is the fact that we never get the answer to that question. Instead of answering, the man changes the subject.
Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; while I am on my way, someone else gets down there before me.
For any of us it is easy to get comfortable with where we are, even when it is a very uncomfortable place. In our present culture, being a victim can be a badge of honor.
The good news is that Jesus heals the man in spite of himself.
He doesn’t touch him. He doesn’t make magic mud. He simply gives him three commands.
Rise. Take up your mat. Walk.
The man doesn’t answer the question. He never expresses faith. He doesn’t even know who healed him. He is as ignorant as he can be. And Jesus healed him anyway.
It is easy for us to think that it is about us. That we need to be the subject of the sentence – I need to have faith –I need to ask God. We forget that it is always God’s work, God’s plan. We are at best lowly cooperators.
The man in the story didn’t know much. But he did have sense enough to obey. He got up, took his mat, and walked. He didn’t just wallow in his condition.
Can we hear the voice of Jesus commanding us? Will we obey? Do we want to be healed?
