I don’t want to point fingers but the fellow in John 5 might have valetuded just a bit. A valetudinarian is a person fixated on their aches and pains, or somebody excessively concerned with their own health. Let me explain the circumstances.
A lot of sick folks lay around the Bethesda pool in Jerusalem, waiting for a miracle. The Bible says some were some blind, some crippled, and others paralysed, or shrivelled up.
For an angel of the Lord went down at appointed seasons into the pool and moved and stirred up the water; whoever then first, after the stirring up of the water, stepped in was cured of whatever disease with which he was afflicted. (John 5:4, AMP)
So this guy has been lying by the pool for 38 years, waiting for his big break. Jesus spots him and asks this question.
When Jesus noticed him lying there [helpless], knowing that he had already been a long time in that condition, He said to him, Do you want to become well? [Are you really in earnest about getting well?] (John 5:6, AMP)
Instead of answering Jesus’ question, he makes excuses!
The invalid answered, Sir, I have nobody when the water is moving to put me into the pool; but while I am trying to come [into it] myself, somebody else steps down ahead of me. (John 5:7, AMP)
Let’s be honest with ourselves. What do we do when Jesus asks us a question?
Prayer: Father God, it is so easy to avoid what you have in mind for us by simply not answering when you call. Forgive us. Amen.
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