When You're Not Fine

I recently heard a sermon over John 5.  This is the story of the man who had been "ill" for 38 years; Jesus came to him one day and asked him a powerful question.  The sermon offered a wonderful chance to be imaginative.

Since the man, presumably, had been in that area for all that time, he might have been there when Jesus was brought to the Temple when he was 8 days old.  He might also have been around when Jesus strutted his preteen teaching Savior skills in the Temple while his parents went crazy looking for him.  Regardless, those days, and the day in John 5, the man does not know who Jesus is.

How has knowing Christ changed you?  Can you imagine not knowing him?

Jesus asks the man, "Do you want to be made whole?"  For many of us, our translations give us the question "Do you want to be healed?"  Did he want to be healed?  Well, duh!  Notice, however, the man never answered the question.  But the questions is important.  Jesus was offering a wholeness.  The man could have been healed, but still not have wholeness. 

Just the same, Christ asks us, "Do you want to be made whole?"  He's not asking if you want a new job, more square feet or healing. Do you want the wholeness, the peace Christ offers?

May our churches be places where God's people can find wholeness.  Stay blessed...john