The man at the pool of Bethzatha had a good reason for why he had not been healed - "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; and while I am making my way, someone else steps down ahead of me." It wasn't that the man was comfortable being paralysed, but he was unable to reach the pool without help. And Jesus took him at his word, and immediately healed him. The desire for healing was there, and Jesus honoured it, even to the extreme of healing him on the Sabbath. And in doing so, Jesus declares, "My Father is still working, and I also am working - we are continuing to make people who want to be well, well."
IF we are truly desiring to be made well from sin, and are not living comfortably in our own sinfulness, we too can count on Jesus to make us well. His death and resurrection are the sign that he is still working today, to bring freedom from sin to his people, through grace and forgiveness, and the power of his love. Through his sacrifice on the cross, we are written in the Lamb's book of life, and we drink from the river of the water of life. By his guidance, we are steered clear of Satan's deceptions, and are given discernment as to God's will for us. With his presence, we radiate his love and hope of healing to the people around us. And as his disciples, we look forward to seeing the face of God as we live together with him in the new Jerusalem for eternity.
Heavenly Father, keep us eager to be made well. Focus us on finding solutions to our problems, and grant us freedom from sin, in Jesus' name we pray, amen.