When Jesus came upon the man lying beside the pool at Bethesda, he asked him, "Do you want to become well?" That’s a question that calls for a "yes" or "no" answer, but the man said to Jesus, "Sir, I have no one to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up. While I am trying to get into the water, someone else goes down there before me." John 5:6,7 Even though the paralytic justified his position rather than answer Jesus’ question, Jesus invited him to stand up, take up his mat and walk!
Jesus’ mercy here touches me. He didn’t repeat the question so the suffering man could give the "right" answer. He gave him what he needed. He gave the man the power to respond to his command: "Stand up." And then he gave him a task: "Pick up your mat."
Jesus, thank you for the power to respond to your commands and to do your tasks. Help us want to be well.