How do you feel about healing people? Serious question.
The thought itself kinda trips me out when I’m not reading the Bible. But when I am, it seems possible. Especially when following the story of Jesus throughout the gospels. There is a hopeful momentum that my soul feels while flipping through the pages. A feeling of Power and Authority.
But, why does that change, when the Bible closes? When walking out the front door of the house/church?
I’ve been told many times in my life that I’m a passionate/emotional/impulsive guy. This may only apply for me.
When reading Matthew 12 the discussion about the Sabbath. Jesus is countering the attacks of the Pharisees with stunning responses. While I read I jump in the story. I feel like I’m standing there listening to Jesus say “What man is there among you who has a sheep, and if
it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift
it out? “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep!” in response to the Pharisees question: “Is it
lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
it falls into a pit on the Sabbath, will he not take hold of it and lift
it out? “How much more valuable then is a man than a sheep!” in response to the Pharisees question: “Is it
lawful to heal on the Sabbath?”
I can see myself saying “yeah! nice one” cheering Jesus on under my breath.
“Thats a challenging comment! Nicely done my man! They don’t have an answer for that!” I’d say.
but; than He goes one step farther. He tells the man standing there with a withered hand to outstretch his hand and the second he does it’s completely restored..
“What! Dude! That dudes hand isn’t nubby anymore!” I’d say
I’d throw ex-nubby a high 5! and say “You got a normal hand man!”
All pumped up I’d walk out of the synagogue looking for someone to pray for. I just saw it done, so I know these things are possible. Gimme some fresh meat! I’ll take a leper, a paralytic, withered hand person, it doesn’t matter what comes my way it’s going to be renewed with the love of Jesus!
———-
The past week my team has prayed for dozens of people. And to end the month today in KL 3 homeless men received prayer for healing. One was blind, the other had a withered body (bent over looking at the ground unable to lift his head) and the last had a serious infection on his leg (smelled horrible).
None of them got celebratory “High 5’s” though. Walking away from each man there wasn’t a Jesus type healing. They didn’t pick up their mat and walk away. The blind was still blind, the back problem was still apparent, and the leg looked and smelled rough.
Why?
Why weren’t these men healed like the men in the Bible?
Don’t I have enough faith? Do I have enough faith?
What does it take?
———–
I don’t know how the healing thing works but I do know these two things:
1) The bright side is, they all smiled. They all enjoyed talking about Jesus and they were all grateful to receive prayer. Each of them ended our prayer with a loud “Amen” like saying “You got that right brother!”
2) The scriptures say “Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”
Sometimes things don’t work out the way we plan, but God is always good and He gives these commands for a reason.
