In the last two posts in this series we handled issues related to what I am calling "principles for miraculous healing". We first looked at the place of miracles in our world, noting whether or not they're even possible, or identifiable. We concluded they were and even offered an argument that not only demonstrates the rationality for belief in miracles, but also the added bonus of offering an argument for miracles as proof of God's existence.
We then began our exploration into Jesus' two miracles recorded in Luke 5:12-26. Our first principle had to do with the fact that it is appropriate to pray for God's will to be done when praying for healing.
In today's post we continue on with our series as we learn from Jesus’ ministry about miraculous healing. One purpose God works forth in the process of our waiting and praying for healing, or perhaps in our overall Christian growth is cultivating patience by the Word of God. I glean three related truths that pertain to this overall principle of "patience by the Word of God".
1. Prayer is necessary to cultivate
patience. Luke 5:14-16
2. Patience by obedience to God. Luke
5:13-15
3. Prayer to be strengthened by God.
Luke 5:16
1. Jesus emphasized prayer in the course of His ministry. Luke 5:14-16
Notice Luke 5:14-16 “And He ordered him to tell no one, ‘But go and show yourself to the priest and make an offering for your cleansing, just as Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.’ 15 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses. 16 But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.”
Near the beginning of His ministry, Jesus warned against haste in telling others about His identity. He wanted to make sure the unfolding of His Messianic and Divine identity proceeded along the Father’s timetable, rather than unnecessary and fickle human popularity.
In so doing this, Jesus was teaching His listeners to wait and rely on God’s Word, rather than feelings. When it comes to praying for healing, God may seem to us to delay. At times, God may want to develop in us certain character traits, or to help us see where we’re at in our relationship to Him.
2. Patience by obedience to God. Luke 5:13-15
His command for the man to go to the priest for validation of the healing is is in line with the Mosaic Law. Leviticus 13:6 “The priest shall look at him again on the seventh day, and if the infection has faded and the mark has not spread on the skin, then the priest shall pronounce him clean; it is only a scab. And he shall wash his clothes and be clean.”
Jesus’ healing of this leper was another “first”. You can comb the entire Old Testament and never find one example of any Israelite healed of leprosy in Israel. Gentiles like Naaman were healed of their leprosy (compare 2 Kings 5). Yet not one Jewish person. Jesus did a first here.
What did he want the man to do though? Be faithful to the Scripture. He was to show the priest what took place, so that there is a testimony. Such a testimony would prove an agreement between the Law of Moses and the Lawgiver who revealed it in the flesh.
Doing things God’s way, by His Word, is always better than our way. Romans 15:4 “For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Jesus then by His miracles taught patience by the Word of God by first encouraging obedience to it.
3. Prayer to be strengthened by God. Luke 5:16
Then right after the miracle, Jesus modeled a second important truth relevant to being patient by God’s Word as we either wait for healing or pray for healing – the importance of prayer for strengthening. Notice what we read in Luke 5:16 “But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.” Jesus spent time in prayer, since in His ministry His aim was to do His Father’s will. God expressed the gift of healing through Jesus and the Apostles through their prayers. God confirmed their message. With that foundation laid, God had ordained to mainly use His providential work through prayer, rather than by a specific gift of healing as He had done in the Biblical era.
Today, God can, if He so chooses, heal through prayer, rather than the route of miraculous giftings. James 5:13-16 “Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; 15 and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.”
This is why we have a Bible, to guide us as we either wait for God to heal, or trust Him for other purposes that may or may not include healing, at least on this side of eternity.
Closing thought
We saw today the principle of patience by the Word of God. Next time we will look at more principles about physical healing from Jesus ministry.
