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?” vs6

Here is the question: Do you want to be made well? Do you want power over sin? Do you want to live as commanded? Do you want the joy of the Spirit, peace with God, and the assurance of faith? Do you want to testify of Christ? Every man isn’t apt to teach, but we can all live the Christian life. Right here, today, I want to show you how it is done. The question, however, is do you want it?

Do you merely want information, so you can sin more blasphemously? Do you merely want to learn doctrine to commend the preacher? Are you here for truth, so you can live by it in good works? Do you want repentance or merely happy feelings? Do you want to be made whole?

If we want it, then He’ll give it, for WHOSOEVER calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “For the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him [Rom 10:12-13].”

He’s not asking what we can do, because we can do nothing [John 5:7]. He’s asking, What do you want Him to do? Do you want Him to give you the salvation that bears fruit? This question must be settled, because without desire, we’ll hear the gospel and reject it.

Secondly, this is the simplicity of the gospel: we are to rise, take up our bed, and walk. vs8-9

Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” And immediately the man was made well, took up his bed, and walked.

We are to cease to live in sin, believing that God has given us His full salvation. The One who speaks to us has the authority to make us walk; it is HIS ABILITY that we’re leaning on, not our own. Peter says,

“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know has been made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through Him that has given him this complete healing in your presence.” --Acts 3:16

Faith in the name of Jesus simply means that He has power to make me whole! He has power by the Holy Spirit and through the blood that He shed. He has the power of His promises - that He’ll give us obedience, and sin will not have dominion [Rom 6:14]. He has power that is exceeding abundantly more than we can ask or think [Eph 3:20]. He has power to make us holy, content, and joyful. He has power to the max to make us live the Christian life. He has power to make us preach for God’s glory in the Spirit, as we stop relying on our own power and rely on His.

This power is to be used immediately; it is to be believed now. Believe the gospel, and you are whole. Believe, and He’ll work in your life. We must believe accurately, for the promises are spiritual, but obedience, holiness, and God glorifying character are surely yours!

Thirdly, we have a choice: We can go back to religious bondage, or we can walk with God. vs9-11

And that day was the Sabbath. The Jews therefore said to him who was cured, “It is the Sabbath; it is not lawful for you to carry your bed.” He answered them, “He who made me well said to me, ‘Take up your bed and walk.’ ”

We can give up what we know for the praise of man, or we can stick to Christ steadfastly. This is the problem that I see often. Sinners know the gospel is true, but their parents won’t let them practice it. Dad will take away the inheritance! Preachers know it is true, but they won’t preach it, because the church will walk away. Thus, they are twofold the children of hell: They hold back the gospel, and refuse to warn people [Ezek 3:18]. They love themselves and not the Savior. They are unwilling to suffer, and this is shameful! Our Lord says,

Then Jesus declared, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and then looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” --Luke 9:62

Anyone who takes the gospel, and says, “I’ll obey it later,” or, “It costs too much,” is in dangerous territory! You are unsaved and unfit for the kingdom!

No, we must suffer [1 Pet 4:12-16]. We must yield no truth. We must respect our elders, as we boldly set forth the gospel. We must suffer the loss of our life, counting Christ more precious. We must arise and be baptized, even if we must sneak away [Acts 2:38]. We must serve God.

If we do, then He’ll reward us. Everlasting life is His gift, along with His fellowship in our sufferings!

Finally, this man is bold for Christ. vs12-15

“The man departed and told the Jews that it was Jesus who had made him well.”

Oh, how wise he is! He takes the gospel and uses it. He is willing to suffer. He brings the fruit of repentance [Acts 26:20]. He maintains fellowship with God, who helps him!

As a young man, I wavered. I didn’t want to lose the friendship and the help of men, so I compromised. I saw my error, but I didn’t fully repent and get the peace and joy of the Spirit, so I lost my First Love, and it was horrible. Years of bondage taught me hard lessons. Human relationships had to go… dependence on man, compromise, and seeking to maintain the favor of man had to be rejected… as God began bringing me back to the truth. Ultimately, He brought me to full repentance, where I trusted Him to make me whole - fully obedient - and He did more than I ever wished. Now, I preach from experience and in power. Now, I’m what I could have been years ago!