John 5:6-8 KJV "When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me. Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed and walk."

Are we looking to the right source for our healing? Or are we following the crowd with the hope of getting healed instead of looking to Jesus our shepherd for healing?

Sometimes it may look to us that if everyone is following a certain path, that we should be on it too, yet we are uniquely made and only our true healer will know how we should proceed.

If someone asked you today whether you would want to be healed, what would your answer be?

The man by the pool was paralyzed. He couldn’t follow the crowd into the pool unless someone helped him. Jesus didn’t help him to the pool, but instead asked him if he wanted to be healed. Jesus knew he has been in this state for a long time: our shepherd knows the state of his flock. He also knows that sometimes we need to be asked a question in order for our eyes to be opened and see our own state of well-being.

In 2021 I was listening to a bible study by Christine Cain and she was talking about this precise moment. Then it hit me: do I want to be healed or was I so comfortable being hurt that I didn’t even know that I was sick at heart?

Where are you now on your journey of being completely healed?

Something else that stands out from this piece of scripture to me is also where the man tells Jesus that while he is coming towards the pool, someone steps down before him. It indicates that 1) he is actually really trying to move towards this place of healing 2) someone is there ahead of him and causes him to not gain access.

Have you ever felt at times that you are doing everything you can to be healed, but that something is blocking it?

“The sick man does what we nearly all do. He limits God’s help to his own ideas and does not dare promise himself more that he conceives in his mind.” J Calvin

Sometimes we are doing all the right things, but our own limiting beliefs keeps us where we are. Instead of going to Jesus our Shepherd who wants to heal us and make us whole, we limit him by thinking that he only heals some and leave others out of the deal. That we are so broken, so unhealthy in body and soul, that there is no hope for us. We ask for healing, but we don’t actually believe we deserve it.

How would you react if Jesus asked you to do something that seems impossible for you to do in order to be healed?

It could be to start exercising, eating healthier, having a grateful attitude even when things are looking grave, change careers, quit an unhealthy habit, declaring healing over your body and mind and thanking God in advance for healing you, or it could be to forgive yourself or someone else for hurting you.

Do you believe that Jesus can and wants to heal you?

May today’s message give you courage to go to our Healing Shepherd and receive your healing. May you draw closer to God as you seek him wholeheartedly.

Catherina