Do You Want to Be Made Well?

Do You Want to Be Made Well?
Life Is More Than Suffering | Bill Vassilopoulos

I’m not sure how much longer my content will remain on social media because of Bill C-9, which labels certain books and passages in the Bible as hate speech. Somehow, we have lost our way as a society in looking after one another and understanding the meaning of loving our neighbor.

As I watch people on social media and read comments advocating for medical assistance in dying (MAiD), often viewing it as compassionate or as a person’s choice to die on their own terms, it saddens me deeply.

I’d like to share a passage from the book of John, chapter 5. Jesus (Yeshua) went to a pool in Jerusalem called Bethesda, known for its healing power. Many people with various disabilities would wait by this pool to be healed when the water was stirred. A man who had been an invalid for thirty-eight years kept missing his opportunity to reach the water, which was believed to be stirred by angels.

Jesus saw the man lying there and knew that he had already been in that condition a long time. He said to him, “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6, NKJV). The sick man answered Him, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up; but while I am coming, another steps down before me” (John 5:7, NKJV).

When I reflect on this story, it is clear that Yeshua could heal this man. He knew exactly what he needed. He is God in the flesh, walking among us.

Is it unreasonable to think that this man may have wanted to end his life at times? How could someone repeatedly miss the one opportunity that could change everything? Yeshua knew that once this man was healed, his life would never be the same. He would no longer live as a victim or curse God. His life would be transformed.

Yeshua came for a greater purpose than healing physical or mental suffering. He came to give life to those who were spiritually dead—people who believed they were whole but were not. It is not our disabilities that keep us from Yeshua; it is our lack of trust that He cares for us and desires to be with us beyond this life.

For many, this message may go unnoticed. Many people today believe they should not have to live with disability or suffer physically or mentally. Yeshua experienced intense human struggle in the Garden of Gethsemane. “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44, NKJV). He said, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done” (Luke 22:42, NKJV).

This was just before He was betrayed, arrested, and brought before the authorities. He was mocked, beaten, and scourged. “Then he released Barabbas to them; and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified” (Matthew 27:26, NKJV).

He was led to Golgotha and crucified. “And when they had come to a place called Golgotha, that is to say, Place of a Skull, they crucified Him” (Matthew 27:33–35, NKJV). He was nailed to the cross between two criminals. “Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him… But the other… said, ‘Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom’” (Luke 23:39–42, NKJV).

As He hung on the cross, Yeshua said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34, NKJV). After enduring the suffering, He cried out, “It is finished!” (John 19:30, NKJV). Then, “when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, “into Your hands I commit My spirit.”’ Having said this, He breathed His last” (Luke 23:46, NKJV).

Yeshua could have called upon twelve legions of angels to stop all of this (Matthew 26:53), yet He chose to endure. Even Pontius Pilate said, “Do You not know that I have power to crucify You, and power to release You?” (John 19:10, NKJV). But Yeshua submitted to the will of the Father.

On the third day, He rose again. “He is not here; for He is risen, as He said” (Matthew 28:6, NKJV).

In John 5:24–25, it says:
“Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.”

During my workshops, when I trained people in Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST) as a Master Trainer, I would ask participants:
“How do you know it won’t be 1,000 times worse on the other side if you decide to end your life?”
I did not expect an answer, but I wanted them to reflect on the question.

I hope you can see how God views suffering and death, and how His Son came to bring life to those who believe.

Friends, remember:
You are irreplaceable.
You are unrepeatable.
You are highly valued.
You are not a burden (Matt 11:28-29)

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Warmly, Your friend,
Bill Vassilopoulos