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Do You Still Want It?

Writer's picture: Staci SweetStaci Sweet

We’ve all heard the account of the man at Sheep’s Gate pool. You know the man who’d waited thirty-eight years for the angel to come down and stir the healing waters. Though the waters stirred, there was only enough healing for one person which meant the fastest sick person to jump into the pool was healed. But can you imagine waiting 38 years and watching 38 different people receive something you’d been waiting 13,870 days for? That’s exactly what this man had to deal with. Though we tend to only focus on his infirmity, he also had to deal with the distress of having to remain sick another year and with the discouragement that came from not being the fastest jumper. And on top of that, he had to deal with the disappointment of watching 38 people receive something that he needed so much. Therefore, ‘when Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ Now why would Jesus ask a man that’s been sick, disappointed, and discouraged that? Because want is different than faith. His wellness wasn’t a question of if he had the faith to be healed because he did. He proved that 38 times by attempting to make it to the pool’s edge.

‘…faith without works is dead.’ – James 2:17

Therefore, it wasn’t a question of his faith, it was a question of whether he still wanted to be healed. Which again is why Jesus asked him, ‘…Do you want to be made well?’ To which he answered, “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.’ You see, over time his focus shifted, and he no longer prioritized his healing. Because he’d seen the speed of those who received, he thought he needed a caregiver who could assist him getting there a little faster. Therefore, instead of his faith being used for him to be made well, he was now believing for someone to help, and thankfully, that Someone was Jesus. When the Lord told him to, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk…immediately the man was made well…and walked.’ Even though he’d waited 38 years and saw 38 different people be made well and was disappointed 38 times, he still managed to receive what he was waiting for, and so will you.


It doesn’t matter how many times you’ve watched others receive what you’ve worked hard for, today is your day to rise and take what rightfully belongs to you. Don’t let discouragement and disappointment get to you to the point where you think you need someone to help you do what God has placed on the inside of you to do. This man thought he needed help but what he really needed was Someone to come along and ask him a serious question, ‘Do you want to be made well?’, which is my question to you? Do you still want it? Do you still really want what or whoever you’ve been waiting for? If so, then God’s word to you today is rise and take it! If you needed someone to keep it a buck with you, then I’ll be that someone. So go and do what God placed on your heart to do – with or without the help of anyone. Jesus is more than enough to get it done. All you have to do is go take it!


Pray this with me: Heavenly Father, I’ve been waiting a long time for this thing to happen. I’ve watched You do for others what I’ve been believing You to do for me. So Lord, I ask You for the courage to rise. Help me to be motivated and keep the momentum I once had for this thing. Lord, give me the strength to lift this bed of disappointment, discard it, and walk into who You created me to be for this season. And just like this man was immediately made well, I thank You that this thing will immediately work out for me. In Jesus’ name.

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