What We Believe #9 – Healing
4-Minute Video Version: https://fb.watch/ghI7J9XXdF/
Not many Statements of Faith include a statement about healing. Ours does. Jesus is our Healer.
“Provision is made in the redemptive work of the Lord Jesus Christ for the healing of the whole person (Isaiah 53:4-5, Matthew 8:16-17). Prayer for the sick and anointing with oil are taught in the Scriptures (James 5:13-16) as privileges for the Church in this present age (Acts 4:30).”
When Jesus died on the cross, he died for us as whole people – physically, emotionally, and spiritually.
“Surely he took up our pain [physical sicknesses] and bore our suffering [emotional anguishes], yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities [spiritual sins]; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed [all three]” (Isaiah 53:4-5).
Jesus Christ saves us from our sins and heals us from the effects of sin: Damage of our own sins. Injuries of sins done against us. Pains in our bodies. Wounds in our souls.
We can always ask for prayer whatever our need, of course. Yet when we are physically sick we’re specifically invited to ask those who are spiritually trustworthy, especially elders, to pray for us. They may ask, “What do you want Jesus to do for you?” (see Matthew 20:32).
Asking for prayer, confessing our sins, reading Gospel stories of Jesus healing people – all cultivate our faith. We can expect Jesus to answer! Prayer for healing is like all our prayers – sometimes God answers just as we expect, and sometimes he doesn’t.
Sometimes healing is instant, sometimes gradual, sometimes delayed, sometimes partial, and sometimes not at all. Sometimes God heals through doctors, medical procedures, or medicines, and sometimes God heals apart from any of these.
Be assured: God loves his children, and he delights in answering prayers for healing. Receiving healing prayer means we’re encountering the living Lord Jesus Christ – receiving his grace for healing or enduring.
However healing comes – in our lifetime or in the future resurrection – we trust God to what is best and give him praise.
What Jesus did during his life on earth, he still does today. He saves, forgives, delivers, fills, and he heals. His ministry practice hasn’t changed. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).
~ Pastor Dave
