“Sometime later, Jesus went to Jerusalem for one of the Jewish festivals. Now there is a pool in Jerusalem near the Sheep Gate, which in Aramaic is called Bethesda[a] and is surrounded by five covered colonnades. Many disabled people used to lie—the blind, the lame, the paralyzed. One who was there had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and learned that he had been in this condition for a long time, he asked him, ‘Do you want to get well?’” John 5:1-15

This passage moves me every time. There’s something so poignant about the fact that Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be well. “Duh. Of course, he wants to be well,” we may think. However, do we develop a slightly more understanding posture if we pause and examine our lives? How often do we pray for help with our health yet drag our heels a bit when the going gets tough?

I’ll never forget years ago, praying, asking God to give me direction and revelation in my weight loss journey. I came across this verse. It was as though the Lord was addressing me, “I am willing, but do you want to be well?” Was I ready to surrender control to be well? Was I prepared to know what might happen if I got free from disordered eating? Was I willing to obey?

Throughout scripture, we see Jesus asking people questions about their faith and thoughts. Our All-knowing Savior, of course, already knows the answer. He asks us to flesh out our intention. He’s willing, but are we? If you’re waiting on the Lord to bring you to a place of healing with food and healthy living, will you approach Him today with the question that Jesus asks each of us, do you want to be healed?” If you say, “Yes,” know that He is supremely faithful and will say, “Then stand up, take up your bed, and walk.” May you go in freedom, peace, and confidence in Jesus today!