Jesus, The Healer by Larry Sparks

Day 16 of the “What Child is This?” Advent Devotional

As the sun went down that evening, people throughout the village brought sick family members to Jesus. No matter what their diseases were, the touch of his hand healed every one. (Luke 4:40, NLT)

Maybe after yesterday, you’re thinking—I don’t get it. The Bible tells me that Jesus is Deliverer. He sets people free from all kinds of torment and bondage. But why are there people out there who are still not free? They have been prayed for. They have been prayed over, but they are still in bondage. Valid question. This is even more of a frequent question when it comes to the topic of physical healing.

In Luke 4:40, we catch a challenging glimpse of the Father’s will. Remember, Jesus came to both show us the Father and, as the Anointed One, reveal the lifestyle possible for every believer filled with the Holy Spirit. He healed every one. This shows us that the Father actually wills to heal everyone and that likewise, those filled with the Holy Spirit should pray with the expectation that healing will take place.

Every single person who was diseased, afflicted and sick got healed when Jesus prayed for them. This is not an isolated occurrence. If it was, I would be more inclined to adopt some of the “pop theology” of contemporary Christianity.

Jesus heals, sure- just not everyone. I mean, see it for yourself, not everyone is healed. My eyes do see people who get healed, and they also see people do not get healed. However, when did we start redefining the Word of God by what we saw with our eyes? It would be like second-guessing God’s desire and will to save everyone because we see people who are still lost and perishing.

Christianity that lives in a state of flux is no lifestyle I want to be part of. There are no constants or anchors. One day, God feels like healing; the next, He doesn’t. I’d rather live with my questions. God is not afraid of them. He welcomes them, actually. We all have questions. The reason so many have abandoned healing is because of the very, very poor answers that have come out from un-renewed minds concerning healing.

I am sure you have heard some of the terrible responses. “They didn’t have enough faith.” That’s a horrible answer, for it assumes the ability to solve mystery with a quick, condemning blow to the level of someone’s faith. It doesn’t hold up either. There are people everyday who are healed who have no faith whatsoever. No faith and yes, no belief in God or Jesus. They are healed becuse of a sign and wonder, with the purpose of drawing them to the Savior. The “not enough faith” bit is ridiculous.

The reality is, we must embrace mystery here. We must be open and honest with God, offering our questions and bringing our disappointments to Him. He can handle it. He wants to! He may give revelation; He may not. But I would rather live with these questions and attempt to work through them then redefine God, redefine theology, and redefine what Christianity ought to look like because of what my eyes have seen happen, or not happen. Jesus is healer. Period.

Advent Prayer

Father, You are the Healer. Jesus healed every afflicted person He came in contact with in the Bible.

Help me to pray with expectation that Your supernatural healing power will be released through me, just as it was through Jesus. It is not because of me. I cannot heal people, only You can.