Desiring Healing: Responding to Jesus' Call

Devotional

Day 1: The Legitimacy of Jesus' Question

Jesus' question to the man at the pool of Bethesda, "Do you want to be made well?" may seem insensitive at first glance, but it is a profound and legitimate inquiry. Some people find comfort in their afflictions and do not truly desire healing. They may have grown accustomed to their circumstances and fear the changes that come with being made well. Jesus' question challenges us to examine our own hearts and desires. Do we genuinely want to be made well, or are we clinging to our "treasured afflictions"?

Jesus' question is not just about physical healing but also about spiritual and emotional wholeness. He wants to know if we are ready to let go of our past hurts, failures, and excuses and embrace the new life He offers. This requires a willingness to confront our fears and step out in faith, trusting that Jesus' power is sufficient to transform us. [01:08:24]

John 5:6-7 (ESV): "When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, 'Do you want to be healed?' The sick man answered him, 'Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, and while I am going another steps down before me.'"

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you have grown comfortable in your afflictions? What steps can you take today to express your genuine desire for healing and transformation to Jesus?

Day 2: The Power in Jesus' Commands

When Jesus commands the man to "rise, take up your bed, and walk," it seems outrageous and impossible. However, within His command lies the power to fulfill it. Jesus' words are not empty; they are filled with divine authority and the ability to bring about what He commands. When we respond to Jesus' call, even if it seems impossible, we can experience transformation and healing.

This story reminds us that Jesus' commands are not burdensome but are accompanied by His enabling power. When He calls us to do something, He also provides the strength and resources needed to accomplish it. Our role is to trust and obey, even when the task seems beyond our capabilities. As we step out in faith, we will witness the miraculous work of God in our lives. [01:16:33]

Isaiah 55:11 (ESV): "So shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it."

Reflection: Is there a command from Jesus that you find difficult to obey? How can you trust in His power to help you fulfill it today?

Day 3: Treasured Afflictions

Many of us have "treasured afflictions" that we use as excuses for not responding to Jesus. These can be past hurts, failures, or circumstances we hold onto. We may find a sense of identity or comfort in these afflictions, making it difficult to let go and embrace the healing and transformation Jesus offers. Jesus challenges us to let go of these afflictions and trust Him for healing and transformation.

Holding onto our afflictions can hinder our spiritual growth and prevent us from experiencing the fullness of life that Jesus offers. It requires courage and faith to release these burdens and allow Jesus to work in our lives. As we surrender our treasured afflictions to Him, we open ourselves to His healing touch and the abundant life He promises. [01:10:54]

Hebrews 12:1 (ESV): "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us."

Reflection: What "treasured afflictions" are you holding onto? How can you surrender them to Jesus and trust Him for healing and transformation today?

Day 4: The Importance of Priorities

Jesus wants to be our priority. When we make Him the center of our lives, everything else falls into place. As Peter Drucker said, "The word priority means first, and it cannot have a plural." We must seek first the kingdom of God and trust Him to take care of the rest. When Jesus is our priority, our lives are aligned with His purposes, and we experience His peace and guidance.

Making Jesus our priority requires intentionality and commitment. It means setting aside time for prayer, Bible study, and worship, and allowing His Word to shape our decisions and actions. As we prioritize our relationship with Jesus, we will find that He provides for our needs and leads us in the path of righteousness. [01:24:49]

Matthew 6:33 (ESV): "But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

Reflection: What steps can you take today to make Jesus your priority? How can you ensure that your daily decisions and actions reflect His lordship in your life?

Day 5: Responding to Jesus' Invitation

Jesus invites us to be made well, to be whole, and to live a life that reflects His power and love. This requires us to confess our need for Him and to respond to His call. When we do, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers. Jesus' invitation is not just about physical healing but also about spiritual renewal and transformation.

Responding to Jesus' invitation involves a willingness to acknowledge our brokenness and our need for His grace. It means turning away from sin and embracing the new life He offers. As we respond to His call, we will experience His love, peace, and joy in our lives. Let us invite Jesus into our hearts, give Him the best of rooms, and watch Him work wonders in our lives. [01:27:10]

Revelation 3:20 (ESV): "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me."

Reflection: How can you respond to Jesus' invitation to be made well today? What steps can you take to invite Him into every area of your life and experience His transforming power?

Sermon Summary

### Summary

Good morning, First Baptist Church. It is a joy to be with you today. I have been a friend of this church for many years, and I am grateful for the opportunity to share God's Word with you. Today, we are diving into John 5:1-15, focusing on the story of the man who had been ill for 38 years and was healed by Jesus at the pool of Bethesda.

This passage challenges our understanding of Jesus. The Jesus I met at age 12 was loving, gentle, and sensitive. However, in this text, Jesus appears to be quite different. When He encounters the man who had been sick for 38 years, He asks a seemingly insensitive question: "Do you want to be made well?" This question may seem rude, but it is legitimate. Some people do not want to be well because they find comfort in their afflictions. Jesus wants to know if the man truly desires healing before He uses His extraordinary power.

The man responds by explaining his situation, saying he has no one to help him into the pool when the water is stirred. Instead of offering sympathy, Jesus commands him to "rise, take up your bed, and walk." This command is outrageous and seemingly insensitive, but it is also filled with divine power. The man obeys, and immediately he is healed.

This story teaches us that Jesus' commands often come with the power to fulfill them. When we respond to His call, even if it seems impossible, we can experience transformation. Jesus wants to know if we truly desire to be made well, to be whole, and to live a life that reflects His power and love.

As we reflect on this passage, let us consider our own lives. Do we have "treasured afflictions" that we hold onto? Are we ready to respond to Jesus' call to be made well? Let us invite Jesus into our hearts, give Him the best of rooms, and watch Him work wonders in our lives.

###

Key Takeaways

1. Jesus' question to the man at the pool of Bethesda may seem insensitive, but it is a legitimate inquiry. Some people find comfort in their afflictions and do not truly desire healing. Jesus wants to know if we genuinely want to be made well before He uses His extraordinary power. [01:08:24]
2. The Power in Jesus' Commands
- When Jesus commands the man to "rise, take up your bed, and walk," it seems outrageous and impossible. However, within His command lies the power to fulfill it. When we respond to Jesus' call, even if it seems impossible, we can experience transformation.

3. Treasured Afflictions
- Many of us have "treasured afflictions" that we use as excuses for not responding to Jesus. These can be past hurts, failures, or circumstances we hold onto. Jesus challenges us to let go of these afflictions and trust Him for healing and transformation.

4. The Importance of Priorities
- Jesus wants to be our priority. When we make Him the center of our lives, everything else falls into place. As Peter Drucker said, "The word priority means first, and it cannot have a plural." We must seek first the kingdom of God and trust Him to take care of the rest.

5. Responding to Jesus' Invitation
- Jesus invites us to be made well, to be whole, and to live a life that reflects His power and love. This requires us to confess our need for Him and to respond to His call. When we do, we can experience the fullness of life that He offers.

### [68:24]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[58:08] - Introduction and Personal Connection
[59:07] - Reading from John 5:1-5
[60:57] - Prayer and Personal Testimony
[63:49] - The Pool of Bethesda
[65:40] - Jesus' Question: "Do You Want to Be Made Well?"
[68:24] - The Legitimacy of Jesus' Question
[70:54] - Treasured Afflictions
[73:01] - The Man's Response and Jesus' Command
[76:33] - The Power in Jesus' Commands
[79:10] - The Man's Healing
[80:59] - Application: What If We Took Jesus Seriously?
[82:44] - Giving Jesus the Best of Rooms
[84:49] - The Importance of Priorities
[86:06] - Living a Transformed Life
[87:10] - Invitation to Respond to Jesus
[89:31] - Closing and Call to Action
[92:18] - Final Prayer and Benediction

Bible Study Guide

Observation Questions

What question does Jesus ask the man who had been ill for 38 years, and why might it seem insensitive? ([01:05:40])
How does the man respond to Jesus' question about wanting to be made well? ([01:14:54])
What command does Jesus give to the man, and what is the immediate result? ([01:16:33])
What does the man say about his situation when Jesus asks if he wants to be made well? ([01:14:54])

Interpretation Questions

Why does Jesus ask the man if he wants to be made well before healing him? What does this reveal about Jesus' approach to healing? ([01:08:24])
How does the concept of "treasured afflictions" apply to the man's initial response to Jesus? ([01:10:54])
What does the story suggest about the power inherent in Jesus' commands? How does this apply to our own lives? ([01:16:33])
How does making Jesus a priority, as mentioned in the sermon, change the way we live our daily lives? ([01:24:49])

Application Questions

Reflect on your own life. Do you have any "treasured afflictions" that you hold onto? How can you begin to let go of these and trust Jesus for healing and transformation? ([01:10:54])
Jesus' question, "Do you want to be made well?" can be challenging. Are there areas in your life where you are resistant to change or healing? Why do you think that is? ([01:05:40])
When Jesus commands the man to "rise, take up your bed, and walk," it seems impossible. Have you ever felt Jesus calling you to do something that seemed impossible? How did you respond? ([01:16:33])
The sermon mentions the importance of making Jesus the priority in our lives. What are some practical steps you can take to make Jesus the center of your life this week? ([01:24:49])
The man at the pool had no one to help him into the water. Are there people in your life who need help but are not asking for it? How can you be a source of support and encouragement to them? ([01:14:54])
The sermon challenges us to respond to Jesus' invitation to be made well. What specific area of your life do you need to invite Jesus into for healing and transformation? ([01:27:10])
Consider the idea of giving Jesus "the best of rooms" in your heart. What does this look like in your daily life, and how can you make space for Jesus to work wonders in your life? ([01:22:44])

Sermon Clips

### Quotes for Outreach

1. "When Jesus shows up, everything changes. You might be familiar with the song that Oswald J. Smith of the People's Church in Toronto, Canada wrote many years ago, made popular by Sarah Jordan Powell. The song is called, When Jesus Comes. The first verse says, One sat alone beside the highway begging. His eyes were blind, the light he could not see. He clutched his rags and shivered in the shadows. Then Jesus came and bathed him in his precious wine." [01:03:49] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "This seemingly insensitive question is a legitimate question because this Jesus who comes to our pools and threatens to transform everything has in his person extraordinary, extravagant power. And he doesn't want to waste it on people who don't want it. This text suggests that before he squanders his power, he needs to ask if you really want it." [01:08:24] (55 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "What if we took Jesus' commands so seriously that as we said yes, everything would change? He, he simply responds to Jesus and thought, well, all right, you want me to get up? I, I don't walk, but yeah, what, whatever. And he starts moving. And as he starts moving, he realizes he is healed and he starts walking and he does take up his mat." [01:19:10] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "I want to live in such a way that I welcome the outrageous Jesus as he dares me to respond to him as I offer my, I cannots. He offers his, you can by my power. This is an unusual way to live. But one must answer his outrageous question, do you want to be made well, by first confessing that one is not well and that you need him." [01:19:55] (46 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "What would happen if he could straighten out my home, my domestic situation? What would happen if I trusted him to help me? What would happen if he straightened out the way I drive? What would happen if he cured my rudeness? What would happen if he came in and took over everything? What would happen if he visited my pool and took my complaining away? I have nobody. Yes, but I'm here now, says Jesus. Everything changes now." [01:20:59] (52 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

### Quotes for Members

1. "The question should not hastily be answered because every one of us has what I call a treasured affliction, which we like to whip out when it's convenient. Well, you know, I dropped out of high school. I have a learning disability. I'm an only child. I was raised in a single parent household and we use it to explain why we're not responding to Jesus." [01:10:54] (39 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2. "The Christ of this text dares this man who's been sick for at least 38 years to trust him as he issues not only, a seemingly insensitive question, but now a seemingly insensitive command. Get up. And you can imagine the man saying, I'd love to, but I can't. And you can imagine Jesus saying, you surely can't on your own, but I'm here now." [01:17:34] (47 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3. "The man does what he cannot do by the enabling power and the outrageous command of Jesus. You handicapped person, you disabled person, you differently abled person, rise up. Take up your bed so you're not tempted to get back here. And walk." [01:22:44] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4. "For this man at the pool, Jesus is trying to bait him into making Jesus the priority. And all these other things, how you're going to get out of this pool community, how you're going to say goodbye to your homies hanging around the pool, all of the details, we'll work those out later. Right now, rise up, roll up your pallet, and walk around. Priority." [01:24:49] (33 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5. "I want this life, and I offer to you an invitation. But I want to ask you a question first. Do you want what Jesus offers? Don't answer too quickly. Do you want to be made well in every way? There are some of you here today who need Jesus. You've never gotten serious about Jesus, and you today want to welcome him in." [01:27:10] (44 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

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