In the hustle of daily life, we all encounter challenges—some physical, others emotional or spiritual. Often, we find ourselves stuck, paralyzed by fear, doubt, or simply the familiar pain that we’ve carried for years. Healing, though a desirable outcome, is not always something we actively pursue, even when it’s right in front of us. As we explore the healing power of faith through a powerful scene from The Chosen, we are invited to consider our own response to the question: "Do you want to be healed?"
The Story of the Man at the Pool
In The Chosen, we see a poignant moment where Jesus approaches a man who had been paralyzed for 38 years. The man had spent his life by the pool, waiting for a miracle, yet each time the waters stirred, others would step in before him, leaving him disappointed and discouraged. When Jesus comes to him and asks, "Do you want to be healed?" it seems like a straightforward question with an obvious answer. But instead of saying, "Yes," the man responds with excuses: "I have no one to help me into the water… others step down before me."
Jesus, however, doesn’t ask about his circumstances. He doesn’t engage with the excuses or the reasons for his prolonged suffering. Instead, He directs the man to focus on what really matters: "Do you want to be healed?" In this simple yet profound exchange, Jesus shifts the conversation from external obstacles to an internal decision. The healing power lies not in the pool, but in Jesus Himself.
Why We Stay on Our Mats
Like the man at the pool, we all have our "mats"—the things that keep us stuck. It could be a physical illness, an emotional wound, or a spiritual block. Sometimes, we hold on to these things because they have become a part of our identity. We become comfortable in our discomfort, familiar with our pain, and fearful of the uncertainty that healing might bring. Change is hard, and healing often requires us to let go of the familiar—even when the familiar is painful.
In the scene, Jesus asks the man to get up, pick up his mat, and walk. He doesn’t just heal him and leave him there. He tells him to pick up his mat because he's not going back to that place of suffering. The mat represents the old life, the old way of thinking, the excuses, and the identity tied to the illness. By picking it up, the man is making a conscious decision to leave it behind. His life is about to change, and there’s no going back.
The Excuses We Make
We all make excuses for why we remain on our mats. We blame others—our circumstances, our upbringing, or the people around us. Just like Adam blamed Eve, and Eve blamed the serpent, we point fingers when faced with the hard questions of life. But healing begins when we stop making excuses and take ownership of our part in the process.
Healing is not just a physical transformation; it’s an emotional and spiritual journey as well. It requires self-awareness, a willingness to go deeper and confront the painful truths we often avoid. Jesus doesn’t just heal the man’s body; He addresses his heart, his mindset, and his identity.
What's Your Mat?
As you read this, I invite you to reflect on your own life. What is your "mat"? Is it a temper that flares up unexpectedly? Is it bitterness over a broken relationship? Is it an addiction, a habit, or a mindset that holds you back from living the life God has for you? Or perhaps it’s a physical ailment that you’ve been avoiding dealing with out of fear of what you might hear.
Whatever your mat is, Jesus is asking you the same question He asked the man by the pool: "Do you want to be healed?"
The healing journey is not easy, and it doesn’t happen overnight. There will be setbacks, doubts, and moments where you may want to go back to the safety of your mat. But Jesus calls us to rise, pick up our mats, and walk forward in faith. Healing is possible, but it starts with a choice—a choice to let go of the excuses, to stop blaming others, and to trust that God’s grace is enough to carry us through.
Embracing the Healing Process
In my own life, I’ve experienced the difficulty of letting go of my own "mat." I’ve been busy, filling up my schedule and doing more and more, all in an attempt to feel valuable and worthy. It wasn’t until I took a step back—through therapy, prayer, and reflection—that I realized I was avoiding the deeper work that needed to be done. Healing is a process, and it often requires us to confront uncomfortable truths about ourselves. But it’s in that process that we find freedom.
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Healing is available to all of us. Jesus comes to each of us with an invitation to be restored, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually as well. He offers us grace and the choice to leave behind the mats we’ve been lying on for too long.
So, what is your mat? Where in your life do you need healing? Today, take a moment to surrender that to Jesus, trusting that He knows your pain and is ready to walk with you through the process of healing.
And when you do pick up your mat, don’t look back. The life you were living is over, and a new one has begun. Everything changes now.
Prayer: Lord, in Your love and grace, You come to us and ask us the deeper question, "Do we want to be healed?" Today, we surrender our mats to You. Help us to pick them up and walk into the fullness of life that You have prepared for us. Thank You for Your healing power, for Your presence, and for never giving up on us. Amen.
