Jay, Wilt thou be saved?

When Jesus saw him lying, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith to him, Wilt thou be healed? Joh 5:6 

 

 

The cure of spiritual disease

 

I. WHAT IS SUPPOSED IN THE CONDITION OF THE PERSON ADDRESSED. A state of disorder and disease, or the question would be absurd. You often hear of the dignity of human nature.

1. Physically and intellectually it is dignified when we see man, in his capacity for boundless improvement, "a little lower than the angels."

2. But how lamentable it is to find his fine powers misapplied and abused! What is man morally and religiously?

(1) His body has become mortal and subject to every calamity.

(2) His soul is alienated from the life of God.

(3) He has no spiritual health.

 

II. WHAT IS IMPLIED IN THE QUESTION?

1. That the disease is curable. But not by man;

(1) not by government;

(2) philosophy;

(3) the law;

(4) morality;

(5) but only by the Cross of Jesus Christ, the efficacy of whose cure is attested by millions.

2. That willingness to be cured is essential to recovery. The cure is not forced upon you, nor is it accomplished by an insensible process, nor by a charm, nor by chance. A Divine influence makes us sensible of our need, and of the importance of the blessing; then we have to choose the good part.

 

III. HOW ARE YOU TO RETURN AN ANSWER TO THIS QUESTION?

1. By inquiring after the way and the means.

2. By applying to the Physician.

3. By submission to the prescription without murmuring or complaint. Not like Naaman, but like the blind man who went to the pool of Siloam.

4. By the eagerness with which you look after convalescence.

 

IV. WHAT SHOULD URGE YOU TO AVAIL YOURSELVES OF THIS PROPOSAL?

1. The nature of the complaint, than which nothing is more dreadful.

2. The Physician who addresses you. He has everything to recommend Him. He is able; willing. He demands no fee.

3. The brevity and uncertainty of the time in which the cure must be effected.

4. The fact that rejection will be the greatest aggravation of the misery by which it will be ended.

 

V. WHAT IS THE DUTY OF THOSE WHO HAVE BEEN ENABLED TO ANSWER THE QUESTION IN THE AFFIRMATIVE.

1. To avoid the sins which led to the injury.

2. Gratitude.

3. Consecration of renewed spiritual health to the Physician.

4. To recommend the cure to others. (W. Jay.)