Did Jesus Just Ask A Really Dumb Question?

​John 5:5-6 - A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, "Do you wish to get well?"  NASU 
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• My First Thought 

I have to admit for many years when I would read these verses I would always think this is a really dumb question for Jesus to be asking. He has been in this condition for 38 years why sure he wants to get well.
 
Who doesn't want to get well? 

• A Counseling Session 

When I was in the located ministry in MD I would counsel people with various problems. It was during one of these counseling sessions that I learned Jesus' question to this man wasn't so dumb after all.
 
I was counseling a person who didn't want to get well.
 
You might be thinking how do you know that to be true?
 
The person would not try any of the Biblical suggestions I was sharing with her. She would not apply the scriptures I gave her to believe and apply to her life.
 
I knew the Biblical answers were correct. I had used them with people many times and they worked when they were applied and they had worked with me.
 
If she would have done this she could have been well. She could have been free from the depression she was living in at the time. She was not willing to even try.
 
It was then I realized she didn't want to be made well. She had grown accustomed to living this way and it wasn't really that bad for her.
 
Jesus' question wasn't so dumb after all. This man had been that way for 38 years. Do you know how different his life was going to become? Did he really want this change to happen?
 
Do you really want to be well? Now I realize this isn't such a dumb question.
 
Some people have learned to live in their condition and to be made well would mean they would now have to learn how to live all over again. This is scary for some and a welcomed challenge for others. 

• How About You? 

What life situation has you fearful? If you were able to have a one on one with Jesus and He were to ask you "Do you want to get well" or "Do you want to conquer your fears"?
 
What would your answer be?
 
Living with certain fears can really handicap you. Your life can not be lived to its fullest when you are being controlled by fears.
 
This is why a Christian must learn to trust Jesus for every aspect of their lives.
 
Ps 9:10 - And those who know Your name will put their trust in You,
For You, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.
 
Proverbs 3:5-6
Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.
 
Heb 2:13 - And again, "I WILL PUT MY TRUST IN HIM."
 
These three passages assure us the right place to put our trust is in Jesus, God, the LORD.
 
Whatever it is you're confronting today trust me it is better to place your trust in the LORD than in yourself, your friends or even your family.
 
Let Him have first place in your life.
 
Think About This:
 
Isaiah 12:2
"Behold, God is my salvation,
I will trust and not be afraid;
For the LORD GOD is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation."
 
Stay Pumped,
 
Gary A. Serago

Minister of God's Word