Life 6 - Pursue Healing
February 15, 2012
In the first eleven chapters of the gospel of John we read about the works and words of Jesus leading up to his entrance into Jerusalem to shouts of “Hosanna, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” Chapters 12-19 are an account of Jesus' week from that Sunday until Friday and his execution at the hands of the Roman Governor Pilate. That Thursday evening Jesus had a meal with his closest followers. During this meal Jesus has an extended conversation with them and in the midst of the conversation he amazingly states that his followers will do the works he has been doing (if we think back over the first chapters we will realize this includes commanding the lame to walk, giving sight to the blind and raising the dead). Jesus clearly expects his followers to continue his work.
Jesus heals as he sees and does what his Father is doing. As Jesus heals he reveals God's ultimate heart for creation. God loves creation and actively pursues the healing and renewal of creation, in particular the healing of humanity. Jesus reveals these intentions of the Father, and commissions his followers to continue this work of healing.
We pursue healing when we catch God's heart for creation and humanity in particular. Jesus' purpose is life, and as we noted this is not just life in the future, but an experience of life right now on earth. Healing in the present is a taste of God's ultimate future when death and disease will be no more. Healing is a taste of “on earth as in Heaven.”
When we pray as Jesus taught, “Your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in Heaven.” We are asking for God’s will right now, but as we pray this, there is an acknowledgement that earth is a place where God’s will is often opposed. Sickness is not a part of God’ ultimate will, but is obviously present here. So as we pray for healing we are battling for God’s ultimate will.
I believe that recognizing that there is a battle underway is key, if we are to persevere in praying for healing. If we are not clear on God’s heart and if we are not clear that God’s will is currently opposed it will be quite difficult for us to continue to battle for healing. Another key is recognizing that praying for healing is something we will grow in. We do not automatically walk the first time we try, and the first time we pick up an instrument we do not play it flawlessly, in fact it may be a rather painful experience, especially for those who are listening, (my small group can relate!). In the same way, if we have expectations of flawlessly healing right from the beginning we are setting ourselves up with unrealistic expectations. We need to give ourselves, and those we are learning with, grace to grow. Finally, having God’s heart for people, more than anything else, will enable us to persevere in pursuing healing. Perhaps the most important verse in all of the Bible regarding healing is John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” Jesus cried at the brokenness and ruin that has fallen on humanity, and in this instance his friend Lazarus, and this compassion moves him to remarkable action.
May we be like Jesus, and be moved with compassion and stretch out our hands boldly in love and heal the sick.
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