In John 5, we encounter a profound interaction between Jesus and a man who had been disabled for 38 years. This story reveals deep truths about healing, transformation, and our response to Jesus’s offer of abundant life.
The Setting: Pool of Bethesda
The story takes place at the Pool of Bethesda in Jerusalem, where many sick and disabled people gathered hoping for healing. Local superstition held that when the water was stirred, the first person to enter would be healed. This created a cruel competition among desperate people seeking wellness.
Why Did Jesus Ask “Do You Want to Get Well?”
When Jesus approached the disabled man, He asked what seems like an obvious question: “Do you want to get well?” This question operates on multiple levels:
Are you willing to leave what’s familiar?
Will you trust God completely?
Are you ready to stop making excuses?
Will you take responsibility for change?
The Man’s Response: A Pattern of Excuses
Instead of saying “yes,” the man immediately offered excuses:
“I have no one to help me”
“Someone always gets there first”
“It’s not my fault”
These excuses reveal how we often rationalize staying in unhealthy situations rather than embracing change.
Jesus’s Command: Take Action
Jesus didn’t help the man into the pool. Instead, He commanded: “Get up, pick up your mat and walk.” This required:
Immediate faith
Taking action
Leaving the familiar behind
Trust in Jesus’s authority
The Real Battle: Two Trees
The story points to a deeper spiritual reality – we must choose between:
The Tree of Life (God’s way)
The Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil (our way)
Our healing and transformation depend on which tree we choose to live under.
Life Application
Consider these questions this week:
What areas of your life need healing or transformation?
What excuses are you making that prevent change?
Are you willing to trust Jesus completely and take action?
The Challenge: Identify one area where you need to “get up and walk” – then take one concrete step of faith this week. It might mean:
Starting a new spiritual habit
Letting go of a harmful pattern
Seeking help or accountability
Making a difficult but necessary change
Remember: Jesus is pursuing you with love and offering transformation. The question is – do you really want to get well?
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
