When Jesus asked “Do you want to be made well?” in effect He was saying, “I am the One who can make you well.” This man was looking to the pool of water for help. There are many things we can look to for help in life; philosophy, counseling, a popular preacher, teacher or prophet, a formula, or a series of principles. All of these these may have value and be helpful, but the only One who can bring true help and healing is Jesus.
When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” He was preparing this man for a massive change; a turning point in His life. He could have offered him money or some encouragement; this man was reduced to a life of begging, but Jesus addressed the real issue this man faced. This man was sick and in need of being made well. Jesus was challenging his mindset and preparing him for a miracle.
If you have been sick for a long time, you get used to living a certain way. While you don’t like your predicament, sometimes you can grow comfortable within the familiarity of it. Jesus was wanting to be sure this man wanted to be made well, because there are some people who really don’t. God wants us to have a holy hatred for sickness and sin and all of the bondage of the enemy. Not wanting to be sick is the first step in the miracle healing process.
When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” He was confronting this man and challenging him to think about who He really was. Jesus spoke the Universe into existence and holds it all together with the Word of His power. (Col 1:16,17) To Him healing a crippled man and giving him the ability to walk was nothing.
When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” I believe it was a question which addressed the spiritual and demonic powers holding this man in bondage. It was a warning to the enemy that his hold over this man’s life was about to be broken. Jesus was saying the power of the enemy to steal, kill, and destroy was nothing in comparison to His power to give healing and abundant life (John 10:10).
When Jesus asked, “Do you want to be made well?” It was a question for all humanity. Due to the fall, all of humanity came under a curse; the effects were sin, sickness and disease, poverty and the oppression of the enemy. Jesus was pointing to His own death and resurrection where He would come and bring redemption to all of humanity.
This man’s sin had caused his sickness (John 5:14) and so not only was Jesus saying to the man do you want to be made well physically, He was also addresing the deeper spiritual need of this man. The need for cleansing, healing and forgiveness of sin. Jesus was pointing him to His imminent finished work at the Cross.
When Jesus ministered, He came to bring salvation. This word for salvation in the Greek is Sozo. The word does not differentiate between spiritual and physical healing. When Jesus healed people and saved people in the Greek the same word Sozo is used. When Jesus said “Do you want to be made well?” He was pointing to the fact that He came as the Savior and Redeemer to the entire human condition, spiritual, emotional and physical.
This question is similar to the question He had asked Martha, the sister of Lazarus, in John 11:25-26. He said “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” Jesus was about to do an incredible miracle and He was using this moment to reveal to all of humanity more of who He was.
In this passage, Jesus was pointing to His resurrection and His ability to raise the dead. Jesus’ resurrection made it possible for the greatest miracle of all; the miracle of salvation, raising the spiritually dead to newness of life. Whenever a miracle like this happens, it reveals more of Jesus to us.
People ask me, when different types of unexplainable miracles and sign and wonders happen, what my thoughts are. My response is always, ‘Does it point people to Jesus?’ ‘Does it reveal to people more about who He is?’ Does it bring people to a saving knowledge of Jesus?’ That is the purpose of any miracle of God.
When Jesus asked “Do you want to be made well?” He was wanting to reveal to you and me today the depths of His love for humanity. He saw the accumulated suffering and brokenness of this precious man who had suffered thirty-eight years and He said, “Enough is enough!”
Today, the Cross has paid for all the sin and suffering of humanity and today Jesus is still asking us all “Do you want to be made well?” Jesus asks the question because He wants to give you the gift of healing and salvation. Today I want to encourage you, that Jesus wants you to be made well. He died on that Cross to make it happen for you.
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