Sovereign Grace Church

When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole?

(JOHN 5:6)

Beloved, notice how our Lord puts this question to a certain, particular man. The Lord Jesus Christ does not put this question universally to every man in a general way, but rather to each of His people—particularly and separately. Indeed, our blessed Redeemer takes His blessed sheep aside and says to them, one by one “Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?” (JOHN 5:6).

Is the reader one of them? Are you one, who when you look back on the past, grieves to think upon all the forsaken opportunities of not gathering with Christ and His beloved people? Do you grieve of all the heartless prayers, warnings ignored? Do you grieve the many kind doors of God’s good providence to you, left unopened? Is your case hopeless? In no wise, if the reader is an evil sinner alike with the writer.

Reader, are you a sinner? Then our Lord speaks once more with a voice of tender kindness and mercy, even to such a one as evil as you, saying “Wilt thou be made whole?” [MATTHEW 7:11, LUKE 11:13].

Friend, our Lord’s saving arms are ever open to sinners. If you are indeed a sinner, He will make you willing in the day of His power. And oh how I pray that day is today; may He make you willing to come to Him for all of your salvation, “He saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation!” (2 CORINTHIANS 6:2).

Reader, no one can ever say that it’s a Sovereign Saviour who rejects the sinner, rather, it’s the self-righteous pretender who rejects the only Saviour there is for sinners. You see, our Lord Jesus came into the world to save sinners, and if you’ll not be saved—it is for only one reason, you are not one of His sheep. Our Lord tells us plainly that those who do not believe are among those He did not come to give His life for. I pray dear reader, you are among those who will be made to hear His well pleasing voice. He says “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me—I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish!” (JOHN 10:25-27)

Reader, can you hear His voice? May the Saviour’s kind gracious words now reach your ears and heart. When you go home, take the Word you have heard from the Lord Jesus Christ and beg the Father to open your heart, that you may receive His Holy Spirit. May that short prayer from Jeremiah be your answer to our Lord’s question, wilt thou be made whole?—Lord Jesus, heal me and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved. [JEREMIAH 17:14] AMEN!