“Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” John 5:5-6 (NKJV)

Much debate and speculation has surfaced regarding the lame man that Jesus miraculously healed at the pool of Bethesda. How he got there, and the nature of his infirmity is largely unknown, yet there is no doubt that he had remained in his condition much longer than he had anticipated. Except for the duration of the man’s infirmity, John’s emphasis is not as much on the medical details of the matter, as on the supernatural cure, its consequences, and its testimony to Christ’s life-giving power. We can all agree that 38 years is far too long to be in any situation that has us bound emotionally, physically, or spiritually. It is too long for us to seek and search for healing and deliverance from people and places that have no power to deliver us. This man believed superstitiously in a popular tradition that the “stirring” of the waters at the pool were supernaturally caused by an angel and could bring healing to the first one who stepped in the water. For 38 years he made attempts to get to the water in time but to no avail, nor was there anyone willing to help him in while the waters were stirred.

How long have you been in your present infirmity and in need of deliverance? Or maybe someone that you know has had a long term struggle or conflict and just can’t seem to break free. Here the word “infirmity” as it relates to our text goes beyond that of just a physical weakness. It can be applied to any weakness of the soul or body. The good news is that Jesus Christ took our infirmities which means that in His manhood, He took upon himself the consequences of our sins without sinning himself and as a result He has redeemed us from our weaknesses and disease. “When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying “He himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” Matthew 8:16-17 (NKJV)

Was this certain man who had lain by the pool some 38 years unaware of the promise concerning Jesus found in the prophecy of Isaiah? Had he drifted into a comfort zone and allowed his desire for some one else to help him into the pool overwhelm his own desire to be healed? Was this his way of blaming others for his 38 year old quest to be made whole? Jesus poses to him one of life’s greatest questions. “Do you want to be made well?” What a question. However, the man’s response did not resemble the attitude of someone who was sick and tired of being sick and tired. He was much more willing to place his trust in the troubling of the pool rather than the person and power of Jesus. “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.” John 5:7 (NKJV)

Jesus stands with us in the midst of our most challenging circumstances as our healer and deliverer, and at the same time He asks the question and provides the answer to whatever it may be that has us bound, broken, and burdened. Whether it be 38 days, weeks, or months it is still entirely too long to remain stuck or stagnate in anything that only serves to hinder us. However, Jesus cannot effectively address our circumstances until we are willing to affirmatively answer His question. When we answer Him, He will answer us and do exceedingly and abundantly more than we could ever ask or think. Do you really, really, want to be made well?