I read an interesting article in Shared Vision, a local Vancouver publication, about a local teenager who is reported to have “power to heal.” While I am delighted that some people report recovery from illnesses I am intrigued by the expectations generated by what some might call New Age instruction about “energy.” The healing power demonstrated by Jesus Christ and the miracles he yielded in his minsitry to people were called “signs” by the gospel writers. These were intended to direct people into an awareness of His identity, the presence of the Kingdom of God, and into an awareness of themselves. An awareness of self in respect to Jesus as the “Son of Man” and “Son of God” was to produce repentance. I’m blown away by a quick study of Jesus’ comments in the Gospels regarding his ministry of miracles. Below is just one example from John 10:25-39:
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”
31 Again the Jews picked up stones to stone him, 32 but Jesus said to them, “I have shown you many great miracles from the Father. For which of these do you stone me?”
33 “We are not stoning you for any of these,” replied the Jews, “but for blasphemy, because you, a mere man, claim to be God.”
34 Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your Law, ‘I have said you are gods’? 35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came-and the Scripture cannot be broken- 36 what about the one whom the Father set apart as his very own and sent into the world? Why then do you accuse me of blasphemy because I said, ‘I am God’s Son’? 37 Do not believe me unless I do what my Father does. 38 But if I do it, even though you do not believe me, believe the miracles, that you may know and understand that the Father is in me, and I in the Father.” 39 Again they tried to seize him, but he escaped their grasp.
Jesus associates his miracles with an intent to direct people into a relationship with the Heavenly Father. The miracles are a call to believe Him. Jesus’ perspective on the human condition looks beyond the physical to the condition of our souls. Perhaps obsession with the physical is a form of idolatry. Perhaps even with a healing of the body we can miss the call to relationship with God. That is a greater tragedy from Jesus’ perspective.
I believe Jesus Christ heals today through the power of His Holy Spirit. The church continues to ask God for the healing of people in various conditions. Some are healed, some are not. But all must hear the call of Jesus to Himself and to a greater healing of our relationship with the Heavenly Father. However, the church does not have the corner on healings. I am challenged by Jesus’ warning to His disciples regarding the presence of “healers” in the future in Matthew 24:23-25:
23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect-if that were possible. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
Healing and healers are not neutral. Jesus’ warning reminds me that healing is a sign. It seems imperative that we determine to whom it points.
