In my last post, I declared: “healing is hard”. This may have caused a furrowed brow or two among a few hardy Christian brethren, but I promised I’d do my best to explain in this post. Maybe it’s just me, but I had to read this section of scripture over and over until I finally understood what Jesus was saying:
(Mat 9:2-7 NIV) Some men brought to him a paralytic, lying on a mat. When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.” {3} At this, some of the teachers of the law said to themselves, “This fellow is blaspheming!” {4} Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts? {5} Which is easier: to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? {6} But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins. . . .” Then he said to the paralytic, “Get up, take your mat and go home.” {7} And the man got up and went home.
You know the context, the four friends of the paralytic had lowered him through the roof, after trying unsuccessfully to forge a way through the crowds. Anyhow, Jesus saw their faith and said to him “…your sins are forgiven” Of course, this offended the Pharisees (what didn’t?) To them, forgiveness of sins was the hard thing, they had already seen Jesus heal before, to them, that was easier.
Jesus showed them they had it in reverse order. Which is easier? He says in effect (paraphrased): “I’ve just done the less challenging task and you’re offended. I’ll do the more challenging task, so you’ll know beyond a doubt I can do the lesser task”.
OK, before I get a ton of mail, let me clarify this. Healing won’t get you to heaven, the forgiveness of sins will. Forgiveness of your sins via the New Birth is the greatest work that the Holy Spirit will do in you. That was the major thing that Christ died for. Absolutely. However, it is exactly because this was the major focus of His death and resurrection i.e., for our status in eternity that it is easier for us to minister effectively.
Note that I said for us to minister effectively, not for God to do. Actually, God does not break a sweat either saving you or healing you. However, in ministering to others, healing is harder to minister effectively than the forgiveness of sins. Remember that Jesus did not minister as the Son of God, He ministered as a man anointed by the Spirit of God. That’s the same way we minister.
Here’s a test for you. I’ll give you 100 people who want to be saved but don’t know how. After a half hour with you, 90+% will be born again. You’ll explain salvation thoroughly and pray with them.
Switch it around. I’ll give you 100 sick people-cancer, deafness, heart problems, diabetes. What would your percentage of healings be? See what I mean? Healing is also harder because it involves the physical. Since you do not depend on seeing physical changes for salvation, it is easier for us. What do you think?
Nice post, Ben. I’ve just started trying to heal people, and based on my track record thus far I’d agree that it’s not easy. I have seen a couple of people healed of minor things, but more not, and no one healed of anything major (like cancer or a chronic condition).