Sick ‘n Tired
Sick ‘n Tired
Topics: Church Article
Anonymous user Tue May 29, 2007 12:12:58 PDT
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0 responses 0 comments Location: 26180 Plateau Way, Tehachapi, CA 93561
What’s the longest amount of time that you have ever been sick? A week? A month? A year? Longer than that? Many people have suffered various diseases, illnesses or physical maladies for numerous years.
In John 5:1-9, we meet a man who suffered with a sickness for nearly four decades. That’s a long time! No doubt, he was sick and tired of being sick. When Jesus saw this sick man, He asked the hurting man an unusual question. Jesus asked him, “Do you wish to get well?” Can you imagine going up to a sick person and saying to that person what Jesus says here? Most of us would never dream of saying something like that to a sick person! We would fear the person would feel offended and say, “You’ve got a lot of nerve! Get out of here!” Or, we would fear that the person might get sarcastic and say, “No, I love being sick! What kind of a stupid question is that?” If I went to visit some parishioners in the hospital, and I asked them that question, I would be out of a job sooner than you could blink an eye.
So why would Jesus ask this question? Well, think about it. It actually makes sense that He asked it. For some thirty-eight years, the paralyzed man lived a dependent life. Since he couldn’t work for a living, he lived by begging. If the paralyzed man were healed, who would give him food? It was considered a good deed in Judaism to give alms to the disabled, but not to the able-bodied who were expected to work! Getting well would mean the man would have to take care of himself, so the question was a valid one.
It’s a question we have to ask ourselves. Many don’t want to see their situation change, no matter how grim it is. Instead of having Jesus heal an area in our life where we’ve been damaged, we would prefer continually feeling hurt and betrayal, or anger and resentment. So, many of us hold on tightly to the very things that paralyze us spiritually. If that is where you’re at, then I’m here to tell you that Christ can heal you of those things. But if he does, you’ll be left without excuses for the choices you make in the future. You will no longer be able to say to yourself, “My life isn’t my fault. Others are to blame.” Allow Jesus’ question to speak to you today: “Do you want to get well?”
Is there a problem area in your life or a sin that has bogged you down for years? Have you grown to accept your problem to the point where you have thrown in the towel? Has this been the case in your marriage? In your relationship with your dad or your son? Has this been the case when it comes to a sin that you have learned to justify? Perhaps Jesus’ words to the sick man can be applied to you. Do you want to get better? Are you open to change? If you are, then keep in mind the fact that physical, mental and spiritual healing all have this in common: The one who is healed must change and take responsibility for himself or herself.
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