"Wilt Thou be Made Whole?"

In John five it tells the story of a paralytic at the pool of Bethesda, a place where sick people would go to to be healed from their various incurable diseases. They thought that an angel stirred the waters of the pool, and when they were stirred, whoever touched the waters first would be healed. But the poor paralytic was much too sick and paralyzed to even make it near the waters when they were stirred and so he would lay on his bed day after day, dreaming and wishing for the time when he might be strong enough to make it into the waters first.

   Year after year went by and he only became weaker and weaker, always watching sadly as others around him would make it into the waters before him. While he was wishing and thinking hopelessly about how he would never be able make it to the waters, a sweet voice broke through his troubled thoughts and asked a simple, yet challenging question: “Wilt thou be made whole?’
   The paralytic replied, ‘Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me.’
   Then Jesus said, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.’ And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.”

   A man who had been a hopeless paralytic for nearly all of his life was suddenly made completely well! Jesus, the son of God, had healed him. He was the one who had the power to make the sick man well, and just as He had that amazing power long ago, He still has just as much power today.

   Jesus had given the man no assurance of divine help. The man might have stopped to doubt, and lost his one chance of healing. But he believed Christ’s word, and in acting upon it he received strength. DA 203

   By believing and acting upon Christ’s word, he received strength. As soon as he heard the words, “Rise, take up your bed and walk,” he arose and picked up his bed and walked! He didn’t stop even one moment to doubt, and because of his faith, he was made perfectly well.

   The Saviour is bending over the purchase of His blood, saying with inexpressible tenderness and pity, “Wilt thou be made whole?” He bids you arise in health and peace. Do not wait to feel that you are made whole. Believe the Saviour's word. Put your will on the side of Christ. Will to serve Him, and in acting upon His word you will receive strength. Whatever may be the evil practice, the master passion which through long indulgence binds both soul and body, Christ is able and longs to deliver. He will impart life to the soul that is “dead in trespasses.” He will set free the captive that is held by weakness and misfortune and the chains of sin. MH 84, 85.

   Jesus is calling to each one of us, “Wilt thou be made whole?” What is your answer? Believe and act upon God’s word! You can be made whole.

   Hannah Evert