Sermon Central
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Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?
Contributed by Kenneth Trent on Nov 17, 2002 (message contributor)
Summary: Usually healing is commensurate with one’s faith but here the man did not even know Jesus’ name. Here we have a compassionate act on the part of our Lord.
"WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE"
"Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ’Wilt thou be made whole? John 5:5-6.
The healing of the disabled man at the Pool of Bethesda was an unusual and extraordinarily compassionate act by the Lord Jesus. Usually, healing is commensurate with one’s faith but here the man did not even know Jesus’ name (verses 12-13). Notice the question Jesus asked him.
I WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
The Lord can do nothing for the person who is not willing to be helped because He has given to man the freedom of choice. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me." Revelation 3:20.
"And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Rev. 22:17.
II WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
Salvation, as is true with divine healing, is intensely a personal matter. Salvation by proxy does not exist. You cannot believe for me or I for you.
III WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
In everyday life, there may be "self made" millionaires (i.e. Bill Gates); but in the matter of salvation there are no self made Christians! Our part is yielding to Him so well expressed in the hymn.
"Have Thine own way, Lord. Have Thine own way. Thou art the Potter, I am the clay. Mold me and make me after Thy will. While I am waiting, yielded and still."
IV WILT THOU BE MADE WHOLE?
"Whole" in this verse means well or complete. Jesus did not offer the man partial healing or temporary relief. Jesus wanted to know if the man was willing to be made whole.
One of the greatest needs of this generation is for "whole" Christians, "24/7" as so many express it. The world needs Christians with sound hearts, level heads, open ears, watchful eyes, helping hands and cautious feet.
No man will ever know spiritual "wholeness" until he yields his life to Jesus Christ. The lost man feels incomplete and lacking…ever searching and never finding. And he will never fill that void in his life until he gives his heart and life to the Lord Jesus.
