Did Jesus Really Say That to a Sick Man?

Crowds of sick people gathered superstitiously around a pool hoping the water would mysteriously stir so they could climb in and be healed (John 5:1-15).(1)

One man had been sick for thirty-eight years. How many thousands of days had someone carried his bed to this pool in hopes he’d walk away? 

Jesus sees the man and asks, “Would you like to get well?”

Did Jesus really ask that?

Isn't that kind of a no-brainer?

No. 

Jesus knew that not everyone genuinely wants to get well and give up their addictions, bitterness, and self-pity. Not everyone wants to take responsibility for their lives and walk in Christ's freedom.

Jesus didn't ask every sick man this question, but He saw this man's heart. 

After healing him, He warned him:

“Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you.”(2)

Perhaps something is crippling your walk with the Lord and Jesus is asking, "Would you like to get well?" 

How will you answer?
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Read the others in this series: "Did God Really Say That?"

(1) From IVP New Testament Commentary: "Jesus is back in Jerusalem at an unspecified feast. He visits a pool at the northeast corner of the city where people with various illnesses gathered to seek healing. This pool was actually two large trapezoid-shaped pools with a twenty-one-foot-wide space between them. The whole structure was enclosed by porches on each side, with a fifth porch over the area dividing the two pools. The water was occasionally disturbed, perhaps from an underground source such as a spring with irregular flow or drainage from another pool. People believed one could be healed by getting into the pool when this disturbance occurred. It is implied that at least some of those who got into the pool when it was stirred actually were healed (5:7)."
(2) While some sickness is caused by sin (James 5:16), not all is caused by sin. Jesus clearly says so in John 9:1-3. God is glorified when people are healed and also glorified when people persevere in faith despite their handicaps and sickness (See 1 Timothy 5:23, Does Faith Heal Us? and  Wheelchair Miracle).