Faith Expectations

As I read the accounts of the man with the withered hand and the centurion's servant, I realize that these are people who EXPECT Jesus to heal. Their faith is confident and expectant. Both the man and the centurion recognize Jesus' authority (from God) and power to heal--the man by obeying Jesus when he tells him to stand up and then to hold out his hand, and the centurion by acknowledging that Jesus' power is so great that he can heal even when not in the presence of the ill. Jesus can do this in the presence of, and in spite of, other people and their personal thoughts or beliefs. It only takes the faith and trust of that one individual in the power and glory of Jesus.

How often is my own faith that expectant and confident? Do I really believe and trust that Jesus can heal me or heal through me? I do believe that God performs miracles and healings every day, but I admit that I don't have much faith in myself to be the channel for that power. I must claim the power of the Holy Spirit and allow it to flow through me to others in order to bring healing and wholeness to God's Kingdom.

Perseverance......

Many times in our lives, healing involves perseverance--by those who need healing, by those who care about them, or both. In the case of the paralytic, his friends persevered until they were able to lay their friend at the feet of Jesus--even to the extent of tearing a hole in the roof and lowering him on a pallet! The man at the pool of Bethsaida had been ill for 38 years; yet, he was still attempting to reach the healing waters. Also, we don't know if someone continued to bring him to the pool, or if he simply remained there, hoping for assistance. As we have seen, faith is instrumental in healing, but faith often requires perseverance. Am I tempted to give up, or will I persevere, trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit?

In both cases, Jesus healed spiritually, as well as physically. He forgave the paralytic before he healed him, and he reminded the man with the long illness to not sin anymore. Our spiritual health is often a barrier to our physical well-being. Am I allowing myself to remain open to the guidance of the Holy Spirit?

I am blessed to have friends and family that care about both my spiritual and physical well-being, and who remind me that Jesus knows what I need even when I do not. Their perseverance aids in my own, and I praise God for that.