Two important D’S to answer if you want transformation from John 5:6-8 and healing at the pool of Bethesda. Desire and Direction
In Jesus’s healing of the man who had an infirmity for 38 years I notice two important “D’s”
First in verse 6 Jesus questions his Desire
“Do you want to be made well?”
Not “will you” or “would you like”, but “Do you” what’s the difference you ask?
Well “will you or would you” implies that Jesus would be asking this man to make a “DECISION” but when He said “do you” He is questioning him if he has the “DESIRE”.
That’s a great question to ask folks because a lot of folks can’t make the right decision because they haven’t addressed whether or not they desire change.
The second “D” is a command from Jesus in verse 8 and it has to do with Direction
“Rise, take up your mat and walk”: Then came Jesus’ threefold command, command not a suggestion. What did Jesus say to those who have tried and failed time and time again? “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Oh hang in there keep coming one day you will get there”. Neither did he say, “Oh let me help you into the water my friend” or “Not to worry friend, you will get used to your condition one day!”
Jesus asks the impossible. Do what you cannot do because I tell you to do it. Jesus tells this man to do what he couldn’t do, hadn’t done for 38 years. Is this not a cruel thing to say to a man who for 38 years hadn’t stood?
He asked him to do the impossible and the question that needs to be asked is “When does the impossible become possible?” And the answer to that question is when it is no longer I who do it.