RC Principle #4
#4 : Require Mutual Contribution & Participation
When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” John 5:6-8
The story of Jesus healing the man at the pool of Bethesda is a thought-provoking encounter in the gospel of John. A large number of sick people waited at the pool, hoping to be the first one in at a certain time so they could receive a miracle. Jesus came upon this scene of human misery and focused His attention on one man - a man who is unable to walk.
An interesting interaction follows. As highlighted in previous devotionals, Jesus sees him as a person, not just a face in the crowd. He knows the man has been in that condition for a long time. Jesus then asks a question, “Do you want to be made well?” Wait, what? Seems like an odd question to ask someone lying by a “healing” pool after suffering from a condition for 38 years!
Questions that Jesus asks are never random or rhetorical, but always revealing. The man has reasons - excuses perhaps - for why he’s been stuck in the same place for so long. He has certain mindsets and beliefs about his situation. Jesus’ simple question calls all of this to the surface. Face-to-face with the One who can heal him, the man must grapple with what he actually wants in life. And what he wants - down deep inside - matters to the outcome of his story.
Jesus’ next words are, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” He has the power to heal the man, but won’t take these steps for him. The man must make the decision to leave his old life behind – put weight on frail limbs and pack up his thin source of comfort for good. Jesus knows an important principle that we often miss in our efforts to help people. God does His part but an individual must also choose to participate in their own healing journey for true life change to occur.
Lord, as we minister in your Name, help us to rightly discern which steps people need to take for themselves, how we can help, and how You are at work in the transformation process.