“One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had been ill for a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be well?”” (Jn 5:5-6). It is striking, in the first place, that the sick man has been sick for longer than Jesus has been alive. And yet, in this young man, Jesus, eternal wisdom and love stands before this sick and grizzled old man, desiring to heal him.
Jesus cuts to the heart of the matter, asking, “Do you want to be well?” Just because someone waits for healing does not necessarily mean that they want to be well. How often we complain and moan that we would like to be free from this vice or to grow in that virtue, but when it comes to actually making the clear choices that would help us on the path of growth or healing, we hem and haw and make excuses, as this man does, instead of simply saying “yes!”
“Do you want to be well?” Recognize your excuses for what they are: obstacles. And then let Jesus wipe them away, that is, if you truly do want to be well. “Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your mat, and walk.” Immediately the man became well, took up his mat, and walked.” (Jn 5:8-9)