John 5:1-17 – “After these things there was a feast of the Jews, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. 2 Now there is in Jerusalem by the sheep gate a pool, which is called in Hebrew Bethesda, having five porticoes. 3 In these lay a multitude of those who were sick, blind, lame, and withered, [waiting for the moving of the waters; 4 for an angel of the Lord went down at certain seasons into the pool and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was made well from whatever disease with which he was afflicted.] 5 A man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6 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?” 7 The sick man answered Him, “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.” 8 Jesus said to him, ” Get up, pick up your pallet and walk.” 9 Immediately the man became well, and picked up his pallet and began to walk. Now it was the Sabbath on that day. 10 So the Jews were saying to the man who was cured, “It is the Sabbath, and it is not permissible for you to carry your pallet.” 11 But he answered them, “He who made me well was the one who said to me, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk.'” 12 They asked him, “Who is the man who said to you, ‘Pick up your pallet and walk’?” 13 But the man who was healed did not know who it was, for Jesus had slipped away while there was a crowd in that place. 14 Afterward Jesus found him in the temple and said to him, “Behold, you have become well; do not sin anymore, so that nothing worse happens to you.” 15 The man went away, and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well. 16 For this reason the Jews were persecuting Jesus, because He was doing these things on the Sabbath. 17 But He answered them, “My Father is working until now, and I Myself am working.” NASB

This passage has fascinated me for years. The most fascinating portion is Jesus’s question and the man’s response. This man has been sitting at the pool daily for 38 years, hoping to get into the water first and be healed. He has had assistance getting there, but apparently, they left him there once they brought him to the pool for the day.

Think about it.  For Thirty-Eight Years, he had been on his bed or pallet watching person after person make it into the water sick or lame and come out well. For Thirty-Eight Years, he struggled to get to the water first but has been unable to do so.  For Thirty-Eight Years, he suffered disappointment after disappointment.

Jesus asks the most amazing question, “Do you wish to get well?” What?  I can imagine him thinking, “Sir, I have been here for Thirty-Eight Years; what do you think? OF COURSE, I WANT TO BE HEALED!”  That would have been my answer and probably yours, at least I think it would.

But this man’s response was different. He said, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but another steps down before me while I am coming.” I hear it in his words, ‘I’M A VICTIM!” He was focused on his situation, no one to help. He focuses on his condition; someone else beats me before I can get there. He has become a Victim and has turned his focus on his condition and his disappointment; it is Poor Me, and for some, it becomes Pour Me Another!

To Be fair, he had been in this condition Thirty-Eight Years!  I am sure we would be less than hopeful had this been us.   I am quite sure that most of us would not have been brimming with faith at this point. I’m equally sure that most of us would have turned the focus on us, our situation, and our condition as he did.

But answer the question! Jesus asked a simple, straightforward question that should have received a simple, straightforward answer. Jesus healed him despite his self-focus, lack of faith and expectation, and his condition and situation.

Too often, Jesus asks us a question, and we fail to answer the question. We explain why it has not happened and why it is somebody’s fault, something, or someone else’s. We, too, focus on our situation, and I will be the first to say that this man had every reason to be disappointed, discouraged, and even in despair.

• Thirty-eight years of failure to receive healing!
• Thirty-eight years of seeing someone else receive healing!
• Thirty-eight years of beginning the day with a small glimmer of hope and ending it with utter disappointment.

Many would be bitter. Most would be discouraged. Some would have lost their faith entirely.

Frequently, when Jesus comes to us, He asks a question that can be answered simply from the depths of our hearts and out of our genuine desire.  Unfortunately, we sometimes give him something else.

Stop It!  Answer the Question!  No matter what it is, answer the question!  If it is healing, Answer the Question!

• If it is deliverance, Answer the Question. 
• If it is a restored relationship, Answer the Question. 

No matter what the question is, answer it!  Answer it straightforwardly and honestly! The answer does not lie in your condition or situation, nor is it dependent upon someone else – – the answer is IN JESUS!   Therefore, answer His question and obey His command. Never give up hope! Never allow the focus to become you. Always make your first look at The Kingdom of God and His Righteousness. Looking unto Jesus, who is the author and finisher of our faith!

I encourage everyone today to decide that you will always honestly and truly Answer His Question!  Today is the beginning of your liberty in a new fashion.

Blessings to each of you as you go through this incredible Day He has given us!