John 5:² Now in Jerusalem, by the Sheep Gate, there is a pool which in Hebrew is called Bethesda, having five porticoes. ³ In these porticoes lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, limping, or paralyzed. ⁵ Now a man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. ⁶ Jesus, upon seeing this man lying there and knowing that he had already been in that condition for a long time, *said to him, “Do you want to get well?” 

BTW the present tense verb “there is” a pool, Bethesda, in Jerusalem shows that the gospel of John was written before the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. After 70 AD, that pool would have been unrecognizable. AI: “The Pool of Bethesda, along with surrounding structures, was largely destroyed or heavily damaged during the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD. While the stone cisterns remained, the porticoes (roofed colonnades) and adjacent buildings were likely destroyed, and the site was later replaced by a Roman healing sanctuary (Asklepieion) dedicated to Serapis around 135 AD.” But the date of the writing of the gospel of John is not the main topic of this blog article.

The main topic is “Why did Jesus ask the man ‘Do you want to get well’.” Why would Jesus ask him that? Surely, a man who had been crippled for 38 years would want to walk. I don’t know why Jesus asked him but there is a thought that we can get from speculating on this topic. AI: “Based on the biblical accounts, people Jesus healed almost always actively sought him out, expressed their need, or showed faith, indicating a desire for healing. While the Bible emphasizes that he healed everyone who came to him with faith, Jesus sometimes asked, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6), suggesting a purposeful alignment of his power with their willingness. Most individuals or those bringing them (e.g., the paralytic, the blind men, the woman with the issue of blood) broke through barriers to reach Jesus, demonstrating a clear desire to be healed. When Jesus healed the man at the Pool of Bethesda, who had been sick for 38 years, he specifically asked if he wanted to be made well (John 5:6), highlighting that even in long-term illness, a conscious desire for change is relevant.” (a Lois Robinson blog article). The key phrase is “a desire for change”. The lame man had to have a desire to change his illness and condition or Jesus would not have healed him.

Jesus has the cure for all our spiritual needs but a sinner must want to change his sinful condition. I teach Bible to teens at a Christian school. I give them the evidences that prove that there is a God and that Jesus was raised from the dead. I give them the words of Jesus that can save them of their sins and give them the hope of eternal life But so often, I find out that they are out drinking, partying, some drugs, sex, and that my teaching is, at least for now, not accomplishing much. I am sowing the seed for future change, but it is discouraging that behind the scenes most don’t have “a desire for change” now. They are content with their sinful ways and don’t want to be healed.

Why would they not want to be healed now? Ephesians 2 sheds some light on this questions: 2:1 And you were dead in your offenses and sins, ² in which you previously walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. ³ Among them we too all previously lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the rest.” They are just “living in the lusts of their flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and mind”, and enjoying it. If they knew they were going to die soon, they might want to change and get ready to meet their Maker, but as for now, they don’t want to change. They are not just indulging in their lusts, they are enslaved to them. They have been indulging their lusts so long that they are addicted to them. Titus 3:³ For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another.”

I have so many things that need to be changed in my life, but do I really have a desire to change? To be a better husband, to conquer worldly thoughts and lusts, to overcome some of my worldly addictions. Jesus has given the Spirit it help us change, to help us have “life and have it more abundantly”, to have peace of mind and eternal joy, to bear the fruit of the Spirit. But do I really want to go “all in” and abandon my lusts and worldly addictions and change to a Spirit filled life?

So, “do you want to get well”?