Do you want to be made well - What kind of a question is that? (John 5)

That is what I often think about when I am reading an encounter that Jesus had as recorded in John 5. There we have a man that had lame for 38 years. 38 years! What does Jesus asking him? "Do you want to be made well?" According to the Amplified Bible Jesus was asking him, "Are you really in EARNEST about getting well?" What kind of question is that? Who wants to be sick or handicapped? What would provoke such a question? more...