Wednesday, January 09, 2008

god's will in healing

Is it God's will to always healing? I would say yes or no depending on the context of the question. Does God always heal? Clearly not. Is God's bent toward healing and restoration? Yes. Does God delight in redeeming the effects of Sin? Yes.

I like John Michael Talbot's spin.

JESUS WILLS WELLNESS
Mark 1:40-45

I will do it. Be cured ... Go off and present yourself to the priest and offer for your cure what Moses prescribed. That should be a proof for them. vv. 41,44

Jesus wants to heal us of our sickness. In all the gospels we never see Jesus refusing to heal anyone! The sacraments of the church confirm this truth.

NO CONFLICT WITH RELIGION

There was no immediate conflict between the healings of Jesus and the established institutional religion of the Jews. This is also true of overt Christian expressions of institutional religion.

James 5:14-16 is the scriptural base for the sacrament of the anointing of the sick. "Is there anyone sick among you? He should ask for the presbyters of the church. They in turn are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Name (of the Lord.) This prayer uttered in faith will reclaim the one who is ill, and the Lord will restore him to health. If he has committed any sins, forgiveness will be his. Hence, declare your sins to one another, and pray for one another, that you may find healing."

In reverse logic, Paul wrote that the reason "many among you are sick and infirm, and why so many are dying" is that many receive Eucharist or the Lord’s Supper unworthily and "sin against the body and blood of the Lord" by not "recognizing the body." (1 Cor 11:27-31)

HEALING IS FOR ALL

Additionally, Jesus said, "Signs like these will accompany those who have professed their faith … they will be able to drink deadly poison without harm, and the sick upon whom they lay their hands will recover." (Mk 16:17-18) This promise of healing is for "those who have professed their faith," not just for an elite few.

Healing is not the result of clever words or sacred knowledge. It is the result of faith, love, and the power of God. As Jesus said, "If you are ready to believe that you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer, it shall be done for you." (Mk 11:24)

Healing is part of the Kingdom of God. Does that mean we all realize this now? No but I don't grasp a teaching other than God's desire is to heal.

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