Do you want to be healed?

John 5 : 1 - 16

Do you want to be healed?

"Of course I do" would be the quick answer of most people. But the man by the pool of Bethesda stammered a "yes, but" answer - "someone else always gets healed before me". But aren't we like him sometimes, or even more, many times? Of course we want to be healed...when it costs us nothing. But what if God's healing requires that we do something about our lives? What if it means that we must be open to change from the inside out? Not only the outside healing of flesh and bone?

The healing God often desires for us is a healing of inner wounds. And I would dare to say that most people have something deep within that needs healing. This is evident in the way people come into conflict with others even in church! Why do people irritate us? Is it something to do with them or us? Interesting question that probes what we don't want to see and know about ourselves.

I notice this about myself. Some people I find difficult to bear for long periods. Of course I wonder if it is to do with them or with me (hopefully with them!). Easier to play the blame game and list all their faults, not realizing that if I fail to obey the 'commandment of love', then I fail too.

God's healing brings health to our whole person. He sets us free from things that can cause pain in relationships. There are times when in love we may need to speak to someone whose behavior is somewhat obnoxious. They may actually never realize it otherwise. But the catch is that the truth must only be spoken in love. And that in itself disqualifies the person who just wants to blame and tear another down.

God always speaks in love, as demonstrated by Jesus. He challenged the sick man to take a step forward, but I believe he spoke it full of compassion, never to disgrace the person. He wanted what was best for the other. Do I want what is best for the person I cannot get along with? God wants to heal us so that as healed persons we are free to answer "Yes" with deep honesty.