Just Ask

When Jesus saw him lying there and knew that he had already been there a long time, he said to him, “Do you want to be healed?” John 5:6

A lady was standing patiently beside the counter, but there was no-one nearby to serve her. As the minutes ticked by, her patience thinned. A young man in the next department had noticed her standing and could see her agitation building. So, walking quickly over, he asked, ‘Excuse me madam, is there something I can help you with?’ Following a loud sigh, her voice got increasing higher as she said, ‘Well of course you can, I’m not standing here for the good of my health!’

Some things are really obvious. So obvious in fact, that no questions need asked. The man lying by the Bethesda pool was indeed there for the good of his health, as was every other person who sat or lay beside it. When Jesus saw him, He knew exactly how long he had been there and what it was that he desired. Even so, Jesus proceeded to ask the man this question: “Do you want to be healed?”

This wasn’t the only time that Jesus asked this kind of question in what would appear to be an obvious situation:

Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” Mark 10:54

Jesus knows every detail of our circumstances. He knows every need and every want, but he never pushes himself upon us. Instead, He stands in front of us and asks, ‘Is there something I can help you with?’ We can be guilty, at times, of not recognising our own need, but we can also be guilty of not asking for help when we know we need it. Jesus doesn’t want us to struggle on or muddle through – He wants to help – but He wants us to ask.

Do you need my strength? Just ask me for it. Do you need my comfort? Just ask me for it. Do you need my guidance, my peace, my healing? I am here. Just ask.

There is nothing that we need to go through alone. Everything that we have need of can be found in Jesus, and he has a vast supply just waiting to be given.

Talk to Jesus today and tell him what you would like him to do. Then open your heart and, with faith, receive it.