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.
How to yield to the Holy Spirit is a question that I too am asking, or maybe I am asking where am I not yielding?
ReplyDeleteI think that fear sometimes over-rules my faith and expectation that healing might occur. Fear of failure and disappointment. That is why I like the gee-wiz style of healing prayer. I don't know if God will do this or not, but wouldn't it be cool if he did? Lets just go ahead and see what God does.
ReplyDelete