Do You Want to Get Well?

One man was there who had been sick for 38 years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had already been there a long time, He said to him, “Do you want to get well?” John 5:5-6 HCSB

Throughout my years in ministry I have made numerous hospital visits. Many whom I have visited have been very sick and desired to be healed. People will often seek a second opinion or try innovative medical procedures in an attempt to find a cure to be healed.

The man in today’s Scriptural account had been sick for 38 years. We do not know what medical condition he had, but we do know that he had been at the pool of Bethesda for a long time seeking an opportunity to receive healing. “Do you want to get well?” seems like an unusual question from Jesus. It seems obvious that the man wanted to be healed. Surely there were others there by the pool that needed healing, but Jesus zeroed in on one man and asked if he wanted to be healed. Many times we need to meet a person’s physical need before we can minister to his spiritual need. It is often difficult for someone to focus on the Gospel message when he is in physical pain or suffering.

Challenge: Jesus asks you the same question today, “Do you want to get well?” Jesus offers everyone the opportunity to be healed spiritually. Accept His offer and look to the Great Physician for healing. Are there people in your church or community who have physical needs? Look for ways to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of those around you.

Are You Growing?

“Sir,” the official said to Him, “come down before my boy dies!” “Go”, Jesus told him, “Your son will live.” The man believed what Jesus said to him and departed. While he was still going down, his slaves met him saying that his boy was alive. He asked them what time he got better. “Yesterday at seven in the morning the fever left him,” they answered. The father realized this was the very hour at which Jesus told him, “Your son will live. “ Then he himself believed, along with his whole household. John 4:49-53HCSB

Many times people accept Jesus as Lord and Savior but they never learn how to grow as a disciple of Christ. Just as a child progresses from milk to eating solid food, our faith and trust in God must grow.

The official’s faith and trust grew. First, he believed that Jesus could heal his son and requested that He come to lay hands on his son. Second, he believed Jesus’ word that his son would live and he departed. This illustrated his faith in Jesus’ power and word. Third, he believed that Jesus was the Son of God and led his whole household to believe in Jesus.

Challenge: Are you growing in your faith? What do you need to do grow as a disciple of Christ? What are you doing to lead others to believe in Jesus? Ask God to help you to have more faith and trust.

Signs and Wonders

Jesus told him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” John 4:48 HCSB

I have observed the illusions of David Copperfield. He amazes and dazzles his audience with elaborate illusions. I watched on television as he supposedly made the Statue of Liberty or a large plane disappear. We know such a feat is impossible, but an illusionist can make one think he is seeing something that is not real. We all like to see the amazing and spectacular.

Jesus had already been in Galilee and had performed many miracles of healing. The royal official may have seen Jesus heal or had at least heard of His ability to heal the sick. He came to Jesus seeking a miracle for his son. Jesus, seemingly frustrated with the people, responded to the royal official’s request with a statement that the people would only believe if He performed miracles. Contrast this to the Samaritan people who believed because of what they heard instead of what they saw that Jesus could do.

Throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testament, we find “signs and wonders”. A “sign” usually refers to divine actions and points people to God, whereas, a “wonder” usually describes God’s supernatural power. It usually causes one to marvel at God’s power and ability.

Challenge: Unlike David Copperfield, Jesus’ miracles of healing were not illusions; they were real and actually happened. The people of Galilee wanted to see more signs and wonders before they would believe. Jesus desires that we have faith and believe because of what He did on the cross rather than because of His signs and wonders.

Believe that Jesus Can Heal

Then He went again to Cana of Galilee, where He had turned the water into wine. There was a certain royal official whose son was ill at Capernaum. When this man heard that Jesus had come from Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and pleaded with Him to come down and heal his son, for he was about to die. John 4:46-47 HCSB

I love all four of my children and would be willing to do anything for them, even die in their place if that was what was required. As parents, any time our children are sick or hurt we are willing to do all we can to help them. We will search out the best doctors and hospitals to seek help in their hour of physical need.

The royal official served in the court of Herod Antipas, ruler of the Galilee region. He traveled over 20 miles to seek the help of Jesus for his son. He probably traveled by foot or horse. It would have been a long journey, but He had faith that Jesus could heal His son and was willing to do whatever was needed to save the life of his child.

Challenge: There are many parents who have children who need the spiritual touch of Jesus. They may have gone astray or need to know Jesus as Lord and Savior. Although not in need of physical healing, they may need spiritual healing. Believe that Jesus can redeem your child. Your responsibility is to pray for your child’s spiritual healing. It is your child’s choice to accept or reject Christ, but never stop praying and seeking God’s help to bring salvation or redemption to your child.

Many More Believed

Many more believed because of what He said. And they told the woman, “We no longer believe because of what you said, for we have heard for ourselves and know that this really is the Savior of the world. John 4:41-42 HCSB

God has provided opportunities for me to witness and share the gospel message with many different people. Some have prayed and accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior but many have rejected the Good News and have not believed. I have been faithful to share, but each individual is responsible for his or her own response to Jesus.

In today’s Scripture reference some believed because of what the woman at the well had told them about Jesus, but others doubted. When they had a personal encounter with Jesus and heard what He taught, they really understood that He was the Messiah, the Savior of the world. Each and every person has an opportunity to accept or reject Jesus. What one does with Jesus is critical. It determines where eternity will be spent. Those who accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and receive the free gift of forgiveness and mercy from God will never die but will go to heaven where there is no more suffering, pain, or death. Those who reject God’s free gift will not be forgiven and therefore be punished for their sins by spending eternity completely separated from the love of God. Those people will go to a place of eternal torment and suffering.

Challenge: What have you done with Jesus? Have you accepted Him or rejected Him? Pray to receive Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and accept God’s gift of love and forgiveness. God loves you and sent His Son, Jesus, to die and take the punishment for your sins. Praise God for all He has done for you.

Testify

Now many Samaritans from that town believed in Him because of what the woman said when she testified, “He told me everything I ever did.” John 4:39 HCSB

I can remember when each of my four children were born. We were so very excited we wanted to tell everyone the good news. First to know were our parents, then grandparents, then other family members. Following came close friends and work associates. Finally, other acquaintances and friends were contacted. We wanted to share our exciting news with everyone.

The woman that Jesus encountered at the well outside of Sycar had good news to share. She went into the town and testified or told others about Jesus. The woman told everyone who would listen about how Jesus had revealed everything she had ever done. She wanted others to know that she had discovered the Messiah. As a result of her testimony many believed in Jesus.

Challenge: When you first accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior you were probably excited and told others about what had happened in your life. Do you still have that same excitement and urgency to tell others about Jesus? Are there family members and friends that need to know how Jesus has changed your life and how He can make a difference in their lives? Ask God to give you opportunities to testify about the Good News of Jesus Christ this week.

Jesus is the One and Only

The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will explain everything to us.” “I am He,” Jesus told her, “the One speaking to you.” John 4:25-26 HCSB

Years ago I witnessed a man destroying a home by knocking holes in the walls, burning holes in the carpet, and breaking bathroom fixtures. The police came to my house and asked me to identify the man by showing me three pictures and asking me to select the accused. I was then required to appear in court as a witness to identify the one who destroyed the house.

The woman that Jesus encountered at the well knew the Messiah was coming and that when He came he would explain everything. Jesus told her all about her life, her husbands, and had knowledge that the man with whom she was living was not her husband. Jesus also clearly identified that He was the Messiah. She was an eye witness of the prophesied Christ and ran into town to tell everyone that she had seen the Messiah and that He had told her everything about herself.

Challenge: Jesus is either who He said He is, the Messiah, or He is a liar. Do you recognize Jesus as your personal Savior and Redeemer? Jesus is the One and Only Son of God and He died on the cross for your sins so you can have forgiveness and eternal life.

Are You Thirsty?

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks from this water will get thirsty again. But whoever drinks from the water that I will give him will never get thirsty again – ever! In fact, the water I will give him will become a well of water springing up within him for eternal life.” John 4:13-14

In the 1970’s no one would have thought that anyone could sell drinking water in bottles. It was not until the 1980’s that bottled drinking water was manufactured and in the 1990’s it became popular. Today it is common to see people with a bottle of water in their hands. Our bodies are made up of approximately 60% water. A person can only go three days without water before he dies. Water is vital to living.

Just as our bodies need water to survive, our souls need spiritual water. Jesus provides spiritual water for our souls. Those who drink of His spiritual water will never thirst again. He satisfies all of our spiritual needs. We would not deprive our bodies of food and water, and we must not deprive our souls of what they need. The living Word, Jesus Christ, and the written Word, the Bible, can satisfy our hungry and thirsty souls.

Challenge: Are you thirsty for God’s Word? Do you desire more for your soul? Spend time reading God’s Word and praying in order to feed your forgotten soul.

Thirsty for God

Jesus answered, “If you knew the gift of God, and who is saying to you, ‘Give Me a drink,’ you would ask Him, and He would give you living water.” John 4:10 HCSB

I have worked in the yard on hot summer days. The scorching sun beats down, and sweat rolls off of my face. My tongue seems to feel like cotton in my mouth. I want and need a drink of water. On occasion I have needed several glasses of water before my thirst has been satisfied.

Jesus claimed to provide living water. The Life Application Bible says, “In the Old Testament there are many references to thirsting for God as one thirsts for water (Psalm 42:1; Isaiah 55:1; and Jeremiah 2:13). God is called the fountain of life (Psalm 36:9) and the fountain of living water (Jeremiah 17:13).” By saying that He could provide living water Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah. Only the Messiah can provide living water. Jesus is God’s gift to each of us. It is through Jesus that we can have living water and eternal life.

Challenge: When you drink from the living water of Jesus you will never die. Accept God’s gift of eternal life. Admit you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and He lives today. Confess Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior. Are you thirsty for God? For what do you thirst?

Breaking Down Barriers

A woman of Samaria came to draw water. “Give Me a drink,” Jesus said to her, for His disciples had gone into town to buy food. “How is it that You, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a Samaritan woman?” she asked Him. For Jews do not associate with Samaritans. John 4:7-9 HCSB

I can remember when the Berlin Wall separated East Berlin from West Berlin. It also separated the democratic world from the communist world. In 1987 Ronald Reagan in his famous speech said, “Tear down this wall.” He was challenging the Soviet Union leader to tear down the wall and restore unity among the people of Berlin. Under great pressure, East Germany opened the gate and began the dismantling of the wall in 1989.

There was a cultural barrier between Jews and Samaritans and also between men and women in Jesus’ time. Jesus broke down both of those barriers by asking for a drink from a Samaritan woman. She was surprised He even spoke to her, but then for a man who was a Jew to ask a Samaritan woman for a drink of water would have been unheard of in her culture. Jesus was in the business of breaking down barriers and reaching out to the lonely, the depressed, the hurting, and even the worst sinners in the world with His love, compassion, and forgiveness. Your sin creates a barrier between you and God, but through Jesus Christ that barrier can be destroyed and you can restore a right relationship with God.

Challenge: Jesus is reaching out to you. Is there a barrier between you and Jesus? Accept His love and forgiveness. Is there a barrier between you and someone else? Be the hands and feet of Jesus by breaking down the barrier and offering forgiveness, understanding, and love to that person today.