Do You Want To Be Made Whole

Series: Questions God Asks

Write down "Do I want to be made whole?". But put your 'writing' hand behind you and use your 'wrong' hand.

(This talk was given by Keith Trout on 27th January 2002)

Bible:John 5:1-9

Lord we thank for you presence with us now - you pose this question to every one of us: do we want to be made whole?

Watching people write trying to write with their 'wrong' hand is quite something. It takes so much longer, is so much harder.

This man in our story had been disabled for 38 years. He had no doubt made all kinds of allowances, just like we would, if we had to use our other hand for 38 years.

In v6, when Jesus saw him lying there, and learned that he'd been in that condition for a long time, he asked "Do you want to get well?"

It's strange that Jesus is asking this question? Of course he wants to get well. Doesn't he?

But this is a question that God is asking us. Some of the things this man is having to deal with in answering this question we have to think about.

1. Taking Responsibility

He would have to take responsibility for his life in a new way:

• working
• paying taxes
• helping others

Healing brings change. That can feel uncomfortable. Which is why Jesus asked this question. You might think, "This is great, I can walk". But five years later, when you're a fed-up shepherd, paying your taxes, getting along like everyone else, rather than begging, it's a whole different life.

The same for us.

2. He would also have to change habits of thought.

If you're not well, you get used to people asking how you are, and you tell them at great length.

"You know that I can't walk - you go".

"I can't do that, you do it." - All that would have to change

It's about surviving, getting by. These are the survival techniques I use to get by.

3. There will be certain sins that will be harder to justify.

Laziness, apathy etc.

People would say "Give him a break - he can't walk". But now he will have to leave those sins behind. That's what Jesus is asking him.

All our justifications - when they're removed? Healing brings change.

4. Fear of the unknown.

Do you want to be made whole? What will my life look like? What will I be able to do? Not do?

Personal wholeness? All those things are things that can keep us in the place that we are in, because all these things bring change.

We may say - "I've got a temper me." Have you got a temper, or has a temper got you?

Or - "It's just me." It may be your history, but not you?

It may be Jealousy. For years it's been a problem, but you could change. It started somewhere. It's not you. What would you be like without jealousy, anger, impatience?

It may be impatience. I don't like waiting! Maybe God wants you to become that thing. Long-term.

Healing brings change. All of these things can hold us back. The question is are we ready to be healed.

The result of Jesus' question for this man was that he got up and walked.

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