Jesus constantly challenged his followers as well as the authorities that always seemed to be hovering around to think differently about the world and their place in it. We are no exception. Jesus' words challenge us, invite us, and prod us to move in new directions. As we embark on this journey through Lent, we must face these personal questions as our own. Jesus didn't ask people questions just to obtain information, but to reveal their true values, ideals and biases that ultimately determine the choices they made and the attitude with which they made them.  Jesus used a style of questioning often referred to as the Socratic Method. It is a style that engage the student to think deeply and differently about the motivation behind their actions and answers. The answers we give cannot be simply true or false, but rather a struggle with what the answer says about us and our world view.  This week we take a look at John 5:1-16 where Jesus comes to the pool of Bethesda (house of mercy) and finds a paralytic who has been struggling his whole life to enter the waters on his own power to obtain the blessing of heaven. His attitude reflects the countless men and women who struggle for the limited blessings they believe God meters out to only a select few. Good relationship, prosperity and happiness are for a limited few. Year after year he struggled to find God's favor.  So here Jesus stands and asks the most obvious question in the Bible: "Do you want to get well?" As we live our lives faced with the frantic pace of overbooked schedules, superficial relationship and wornout habits we too must see ourselves as trying to succeed on our own power, tired and exhausted and then face the question from God "Do you want to get well?" Jesus comes with a cure, new way of living and an invitation to Get Up! Pick up your tired old mat and learn to walk again.  Are you ready? Are you exhausted from chasing the illusion of  prosperity? Then join us and face your fears.  The Questions Jesus Asked Study Guide: Questions Devotional Podcast: Questions Jesus Asked 3.23.14L Questions Jesus Asked 3.23.14E Sermon Notes 03.23.14 Questions Jesus Asked Worship Slides 03.23.14 The Questions Jesus Asked