The 3 TRUTHS About How JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY (PART 3)

JESUS WAYS HAVEN'T CHANGED
A few days later, when Jesus again entered Capernaum, the people heard that he had come home.  They gathered in such large numbers that there was no room left, not even outside the door, and he preached the word to them.  Some men came, bringing to him a paralyzed man, carried by four of them.  Since they could not get him to Jesus because of the crowd, they made an opening in the roof above Jesus by digging through it and then lowered the mat the man was lying on.  When Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralyzed man, “Son, your sins are forgiven.”  Mark 2:1-5


A paralyzed man couldn't possibly make it to Jesus on his own, no matter how much faith he had.  But his friends could do it, so much so that they opened a roof and just put the man in front of Jesus.  They would not take no for answer.  But before we look at how Jesus' ways haven't changed, we must look at this.


There is a dangerous witchcraft like lie in the church today in some circles.  It falls into the "name it claim it/word of faith" kind of teaching. It goes something like this:  "You speak things that are not as though they were."  They're dealing with the idea of believing God keeps His promises before you see the results, which is a legitimate act of faith.  But this faith in God's promises does not mean we flat out lie. 


Use the paralyzed man brought to Jesus by his friends as an example.  This man didn't "claim" healing before it happened.  This would be a lie.  He couldn't go out and say, "Jesus said I could walk," while still lying on his bed of paralysis.  After Jesus forgave the man's sins, so that all who watched would know that Jesus has authority to forgive sin, Jesus said,


I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” He got up, took his mat and walked out in full view of them all. This amazed everyone and they praised God, saying, “We have never seen anything like this!” Mark 2:11-12


Jesus didn't say, "Now you're already healed.  Start praising God until your healing is 'manifest.'"  The man and his friends didn't go out and say, "Praise God everybody, our brother can walk.  He's just waiting for his healing to 'manifest' in the 'natural."  This is foolishness and it dishonors God.  When Jesus said, "Get up," the man could get up right then and now.


Jesus is unchanging.
Jesus' mission hasn't changed.
Jesus' ways haven't changed.


And what are the ways of the Healer?
He actively, literally, and physically heals those who actively, literally, and seek physical healing from Him.


This may happen a number of ways:
1.  Jesus, or those who heal in His name, simply speak a word and it happens.  "In the name of Jesus, be healed."  And they are literally healed.
2. Some lay hands on the sick and the sick literally and physically recover.
3. Elders may use oil to anoint the sick person, and the sick person will literally recover from sickness.
4. Some may pray the "prayer of faith," as James also said.
5. Some may have a demon cast out that was the cause of sickness.
6. And some people simply go directly to Jesus Himself in private prayer, and Jesus Himself answers their prayers and heal them.


Jesus was not locked into a healing formula, because He was not a warlock or sorcerer simply using The Bible as His manipulative magic book. 


He is the same compassionate and merciful healer He was yesterday, and as He forever will be.
His mission is still the same:  To go around doing good and heal all who are oppressed of the devil.
His ways have not changed:  He actively goes around doing good and healing for those who actively seek Him out to be healed. 


click HERE to finish "Three Ways to See Your Spiritual Gift."