We’ve all had seasons where we feel stuck—maybe not physically, but emotionally, mentally, or spiritually. We carry invisible mats, worn from the weight of disappointment, shame, fear, or brokenness. The story of Jesus healing the paralyzed man in John 5 shows us something powerful: healing isn’t just about getting up—it’s about becoming whole.
Jesus approached a man who had been paralyzed for thirty-eight years. And instead of offering sympathy or immediate healing, He asked a curious question:
“Do you want to get well?” (John 5:6)
Why would Jesus ask that?
Because healing—real healing—requires us to face our excuses, let go of our past, and take a step toward a new identity.
God Sees You—Even When You Feel Invisible
This man had likely been passed by for decades. People saw his condition, but they didn’t see him. But Jesus did. Jesus saw him lying there and knew he had been in that condition a long time (John 5:6).
You’re not invisible to God.
No matter how long you’ve felt stuck, God sees you right now. He knows your pain. And He meets you right in the middle of it—not when you “get it together,” but right now, in your weakness.
Stop Waiting for the Perfect Moment
When Jesus asked the man if he wanted to be made well, the man didn’t say “yes.” He offered an excuse: “I have no one to help me into the pool.”
Sound familiar?
We do it, too:
- “When things calm down, I’ll work on my marriage.”
- “Once I fix this habit, I’ll get serious about God.”
- “When I feel better mentally, I’ll go back to church.”
Here’s the truth: life rarely gives us perfect moments. Jesus didn’t wait for the pool to stir. He said, “Get up. Pick up your mat. Walk.”
Your healing won’t start at the right time—it starts when you take a step.
Your Identity Is Not Your Struggle
This man had been known as “the paralyzed guy” for years. It’s likely people had stopped using his name. He was his struggle.
But Jesus changed that. With one command, Jesus gave him a new story.
What about you? You might carry labels like “addict,” “divorced,” “not enough,” or “failure.” But Jesus doesn’t define you by your past. In Him, you are loved, chosen, and made whole.
That mat he once laid on became his testimony. What once held him down now became the symbol of what he overcame.
Relationship, Not Religion
Jesus healed this man on the Sabbath, and the religious leaders flipped out—not because of the healing, but because he carried his mat on a holy day.
They missed the miracle because they were obsessed with the rules.
Jesus isn’t interested in religion. He’s after relationship. He’s not looking for people to play church. He wants people who know the Shepherd—not just people who know the Psalm.
There’s a big difference between quoting Scripture and knowing the One it points to.
Don’t Miss the Big Picture
Jesus said to the religious leaders in John 5:39-40, “You study the Scriptures diligently…but you refuse to come to me to have life.”
You can know about Jesus and still miss Him entirely.
Life transformation happens not when we memorize truth, but when we let it take root. Not when we perform, but when we surrender.
Application: How to Step Into Wholeness Today
Here’s how you can take your first steps:
1. Be Honest
Where are you stuck? Is it fear? Shame? Control? A relationship?
Admit it to yourself. Name it. Jesus already sees it—and He’s ready to meet you in it.
2. Let Go of Excuses
Stop waiting for others to change first. Stop waiting for the moment to be perfect. Let go of “when” and embrace “now.”
3. Take Action
What’s your next move?
- Forgive someone.
- Seek help.
- Start praying again.
- Come back to church.
- Say yes to Jesus for the first time.
Don’t wait. Take the first step. God will meet you there.
Closing Thought: Jesus Wants You to Be Whole
Jesus didn’t just want the man to walk. He wanted him to live—really live.
And He wants that for you, too.
Healing isn’t just about getting rid of pain. It’s about being made whole—a soul no longer sick, a life no longer lost.
So today, ask yourself: Do I want to be made whole?
And if your answer is yes—get up. Pick up your mat. Walk.
Pastor Dennis felt called into ministry at a young age when he was miraculously healed of a speech impediment at a gospel revival. While other kids were playing cops and robbers, Dennis was playing church with his brother, David and sister, Dee. He married his beautiful bride, Sharon in 1973 and began working his way through college, majoring in Biblical Studies at Tomlinson College. He pursued every opportunity for ministry from traveling evangelism to running youth camps to serving as senior pastor in several churches across Tennessee. All while continuing his education and ultimately receiving his Doctor of Philosophy in Ministry Science from Great Plains Baptist Divinity School in 2001.
Today he enjoys pastoring Grace Community Church and mentoring the next generation of leaders. In his spare time, he enjoys every minute he and Sharon get to spend with their 5 grandchildren.
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