Jesus is so none intrusive that it seems he would be ready to allow people to remain ill and burdened down by their troubles. In John 5:6 Jesus knew the man had been laying at the side of the Pool of Bethesda 38 years and yet Jesus asks him “do you want to be healed!” He was giving the man the choice to stay crippled on a mat by the pool or receive healing, it was quite a self evident question to be asking. The man could have said no not today and I think Jesus would have carried on.

Through the written word Jesus continues to come to us today asking the very same question, allowing us to receive his healing touch if we wish to. He won’t ever force himself on us. He said: “if a man is thirsty, let him come to me and drink” John 7:37. And “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” John 8:12. He was clear about who he was and what he could do, leaving the freed of choice for all to come to him.

We are free to believe, receive and follow, Jesus the Gentleman leaves the choice to us.