heal
“Now there is in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate a pool, in Aramaic called Bethesda which has five roofed colonnades. In these lay a multitude of invalids—blind, lame, and paralyzed. One man was there who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?”
John 5:2-6 ESV
Jesus was, is, and always will be the One True Healer.
In John 5 Jesus visits a paralytic who had been sitting near a pool of water in Bethesda for 38 years. Jesus approaches this man knowing he has been there for so long, kneels before him, and asks “Do you want to be made well?” Fully knowing the answer, Jesus still asks this man if he wants to be healed.
Ultimately, everything with God is a choice. Perhaps some of us don’t want to let go of pain because if we surrender it, if we forgive or let go, we're ultimately left with nothing. We hide our trauma away like a treasure chest holding on to it because at least it feels like we got something. Even though we deeply desire to be free of it, the change it could bring is too scary to confront.
As desperate as this poor man was to be healed of his paralysis, perhaps he even paused when Jesus asked “Do you want to be made well?” pondering how different his life would look if he was healed.
But Jesus is a Healer that longs to partner with you. He longs to set you free of the heavy things you were never meant to carry — in an instant Jesus healed him and told him “To pick up his mat and walk.” (John 5:8) The man made a choice to partner with Jesus in his healing and realized the water he spent 38 years hoping would heal him would not suffice.
Jesus was, is, and always will be the One True Healer.
My friend, healing is a choice we get to make. Be encouraged today, to let the true healer, heal you. He wants nothing more. He wants freedom for you. We are not meant to live in bondage. Give Him permission to enter into these spaces with you. Let Him heal you and set you free. He will do something beautiful with you.
In joy, peace + love,
Riley Rae Baker
additional reading:
Isaiah 53:5 / Jeremiah 30:17 / Psalm 30:2 / James 5:15 / Mark 5:34 / Matthew 8:13
reflect:
Are there areas of your life where you’re holding onto pain out of fear, comfort, or doubt? Imagine the pain is like a heavy ball in your hand that you’re too tired to carry — hear God asking if it’s okay for Him to carry that for you. Let yourself release it to Him.
centering prayer:
LORD, thank you that in You true healing is found. Help me to partner with you in my healing and reveal yourself to me as the Healer in the areas of my heart, mind, soul, and spirit. I know that in You and with You, I can be set free. amen.
