The Mystery Of God's Healing Process

The fact that Jesus healed and had compassion on those that needed a miracle of some sort in their lives, be it for themselves or another in their family, before He paid the price with the flogging and crucifixion is amazing and wonderful. 

Jesus solved all kinds of problems for people because of His great compassion. He healed the blind, the deaf, the lame, the mute, those with leprosy, those demon possessed and those dead just to name a few conditions. Matthew says it like this - "Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd." (Matt. 9:35-36)

What catches my attention is the speed at which the healing took place. Many, if not most of the curing encounters with Jesus included the word "immediately" or sense of that word to convey healing from Him. This is opposed to today, where I only hear of pockets of testimonies where "immediately" was the answer to someone's request of God for healing.

Matthew records one with leprosy that had no problem with Christ's ability, He just had a question about the willingness of Jesus to heal his plight. Matthew says, "A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'" (Matt. 8:2) See how the phrase "you can make me clean" emphasizes Christ's ability is not in question but is tied to the Lord's will? Matthew then recalls, "Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!' Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy." (Matt. 8:3) There is that word immediately.

Right after this meeting, Jesus engages with a centurion soldier that recognizes Jesus has authority, His words are powerful and His immediate presence bedside is not required. 

"The centurion replied, 'Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed. For I myself am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.'" (Matt. 8:8-9)

This faith impresses Jesus and He lets those around them know plus Jesus heals the centurion's servant "at that moment" - "'Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.' Then Jesus said to the centurion, 'Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.' And his servant was healed at that moment." (Matt. 8:10, 13)

Then there is the purposeful delay of Jesus to visit Mary, Martha and the one Jesus loved - Lazarus. Of course John would have something to say about that in John 13:23, 20:2 and 21:20 - calling himself "the one Jesus loved" or "the disciple Jesus loved". For the record, Jesus loves the whole world. 

As far as Lazarus was concerned, Jesus got word of the status of Lazarus when Lazarus was on his deathbed. Knowing that Lazarus died because Jesus is the Son of God, He tells His disciples twice the reason for returning to just outside Jerusalem.

"After he had said this, he went on to tell them, 'Our friend Lazarus has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up.'

His disciples replied, 'Lord, if he sleeps, he will get better.' Jesus had been speaking of his death, but his disciples thought he meant natural sleep.

So then he told them plainly, 'Lazarus is dead, and for your sake I am glad I was not there, so that you may believe. But let us go to him.'" (John 11:11-14)

This was a time where Christ waited a specific amount of time that seemed the end-all for us, death, but was no match for the Creator, the Word of God in flesh. 

As time has marched on society has gotten worse about wanting things instantly to the point where we expect immediacy with the technology and people skills we have acquired. I can testify that God still works in delay fashion as well as the immediate and sometimes He says, "No".

With all the Scripture there is about 

• the price He paid for our healing, 
• the promises of His healing touch, 
• power there is in His name, blood and spirit, 
• His nature that is still the same today - compassionate, 
• asking and receiving in His name 
• and being persistent in the seeking - why does God delay the cure we seek and pray for?

With some instances of healing being immediate, others through the process of doctors and medicine that God has blessed us with and still other situations where our prayers have been answered with the death of a loved one - all we have left to lean on is trust in the sovereignty of God as we work out on this side of heaven - The Mystery Of God's Healing Process.