In the Gospel of Mark it is quite interesting to note how these healings take place. There are many instances where Jesus heals people because they have demonstrated faith. They somehow know that Jesus, because he has divine powers, has the power to heal. They truly believe Jesus can perform a miracle and they humbly seek him out.
"A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees,
"If you are willing, you can make me clean." Filled with compassion,
Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing,"
he said. "Be clean!" Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cured.
Mark 1:40-42
It would appear that the faith of the individual seeking healing is the driving force behind Jesus healing. It may be that Jesus is more inclined to heal those who have or faith, or it may be that the faith of the person is the power which enables Jesus to perform healing miracles.
Later in Mark, when Jesus visits his hometown he is met with resistance and disbelief. Those who had seen Jesus grow up, who had known him his entire life had great difficulty accepting him as a teacher and healer, and certainly as the Son of God. in Mark 6:5 it says Jesus was unable to perform any miracles or "deeds of power" in his hometown and that he was "amazed at their unbelief."
It would seem then that faith is a key element in Jesus' healings. However it is not always the faith of the person in need of healing which enables Jesus. There are instances where the faith of others precipitates healing for a person in need. In Mark 2:1-12 four friends bring a paralyzed man to Jesus for healing. They deeply believed Jesus could heal their friend and were utterly persistent in seeing Jesus, so much so that they rip off the roof of Jesus' house to do so. Jesus is so impressed with their faith that he heals the paralyzed man because of their faith. This episode is always striking because Jesus first heals the paralyzed man spiritually then physically. Jesus is concerned with both our physical and spiritual need for healing.
Another interesting healing story comes in Mark 5:25-34. In this story a woman with hemorrhages seeks Jesus' healing. She works her way through a crowd and touches Jesus' cloak. She believed that if she even touched his clothing that Jesus would heal her. She was right! After 12 years of bleeding, after spending her fortune on doctors, after being marginalized from her community, she believes that touching Jesus' clothes will heal her. After she touches his cloak she was healed, but Jesus was not even aware she was there. The text says that only after she was healed did he become aware that a "power had gone forth from him."
Each of the healing stories of Jesus are different, but each also presents a consistent pattern. In order to be healed we have to bring something to the encounter. A deep faith or belief that Jesus can heal us, a burning desire for Jesus to take away our pain, anxiety, and suffering. Whether we seek healing for ourselves, our families, or for our friends, when we take our concerns to Jesus he responds. Make no mistake, it is God, not us, who does the healing, but we need to believe in God's power and ability to make us whole and healthy. We must seek God and call upon the Lord to bring healing to our lives.
What can we do to bring about healing in our lives? What can we do for those who are in need of healing? Can God heal without faith? Will God heal some who denies him?
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4 comments:
One thing that keeps coming into my mind is why Mary did not have faith. If there was one person who should know the specialness, uniqueness, the connection to God that Jesus has, I would think Mary would know because of how he was conceived. Is there any place that even hints at why she didn't recognize his power? Or is it one of those unanswered questions? You asked about healing someone who does not have faith. This makes me wonder about the paralytic man. It seems to me that if Jesus healed him spiritually first, then physically, did he have no faith? His friends had very strong faith and interceeded on his behalf and Jesus healed the man. To me we are told that if someone with faith prays for you then Jesus will heal you, in both areas. CB
I believe that faith is the integral part in healing, whether it be the faith of the one asking for healing or the faith of those who intercede on another's behalf. Isn't our faith what we bring into the relationship with God - genuinely believing in Him, his power, and his ability to work in our lives? So if this is true, isn't our faith & prayers steps needed for the healing to start?
I'm a little confused about whether healing could happen to one who openly denies Him - if the denial is true then wouldn't asking for healing not even be in the realm?
cjk
I feel that from what I have read and experienced that if a person has no faith but his friends have great faith and pray for him he can be healed. Also a person of great faith who prays and believes he can be healed will be healed. It is the faith of the one or ones who pray. I have also seen some one healed in spirt even though the body may die. The suffering of the spirt is healed and replaced with a calmness and strength needed to face death or opression that was not there before prayer.
You write very well.
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