Understanding Wellness

By: Kelley Hinson

The concept of being made well is seen all throughout Jesus’s ministry. He asks questions and makes statements to reflect what “Well” means for the individual who had the encounter with Him.

In the context of faith

“Your faith has made you well…” (Matthew 9:20-22; Mark 10: 46-52; Luke 17:11-19)

Jesus questions us…

“Do you want to be made well…” (John 5:5-9)

Being “made well” is much deeper than what lies at the surface. The meaning of the word “well” is profoundly spiritual in nature. It includes much more than physical healing. Jesus provides restoration and it is a combination of divine intervention and personal responsibility. The people that pursued Jesus for healing were taking an active stance in faith. They knew where their healing would be found. Jesus’s statement of “Your faith has made you well…”, emphasizes that He knew their heart was actively engaged in finding true wellness by seeking Him out. Their faith in Him made them well. They were not only transformed physically, but they were made whole and complete.

Jesus questions us “Do you want to be made well…”, in John 5, is more than just a question. He is asking us are we ready to do what it takes to be made well. Are we ready to shed those pieces of our sinful nature and encounter true wellness and transform completely. The Greek for “well” used in verse 6 is, hugies, which means “whole, sound, and healthy”. This type of wellness, from a personal standpoint, in which I am well acquainted with, is often inconvenient, difficult, and can be downright painful. It’s not easy, it’s not passive, and it’s not forced upon us. Jesus asks us that question to help us reflect on our true answer. This question entails more than just physical healing; it means restoration, transformation, and being “made new”. We very often have deeper spiritual and emotional sicknesses, and true wellness requires faith and willingness to embrace change, and allow God to move in our life. The man in John 5 gave excuses on why he could not be well, he wasn’t ready to embrace this change. He received the miracle, but was he ready to be “made well”. He didn’t realize who Jesus really was. This question is a call to action…an active participation in one’s journey to wholeness, completeness, and true wellness.

So, ask yourself this question and reflect on your answer. “Do you want to be made well?” (John 5:6), and if the answer is “yes”, then “get up, pick up your mat, and walk” (John 5:8).

I