In John chapter nine he relates the disciples asking Jesus concerning a man born blind.
Jesus answered, “Neither this man nor his parents have sinned: but that the works of God should be revealed in him.
I must work the works of him who sent me while it is day for the night is coming when no man can work.
As long as I am in the world I am the light of the world [John 9:3-5].”
One must determine, as we look at this passage what the works of God were that Jesus did.
Notice the reason Jesus gave for the man’s blindness, “That the works of God may be revealed in him.”
Notice that he did not say that the man’s blindness was the work of God, only that God purposed to reveal his power in the man. All too often it is interpreted that the man’s blindness was the work of God. It was not.
Therefore we continue to observe what Jesus both said and did. Jesus said, “I must work the works of him that sent me.”
Afterwards he made clay with his own spit and pasted it over the eyes of the blind man, instructing him, “Go, wash in the Pool of Siloam.” The blind obeyed and returned seeing.
What was the work of God that Jesus did? Simple, he healed the blind man’s eyes—that was the work of God.
This is borne out by the facts of the very beginning where we see that God created a world without death and that, as Paul confirms in his letter to the Romans, sin entered the world, and death occasioned by sin. God is not the author of sin and so cannot be the author of sickness. We all know who tempted man to sin.
The history of Job bears out that God is not the author of evil, but Satan himself. Notice that God is the author of protection and restoration. Satan is ever limited by the sovereign power of almighty God.
I am not against those who bear their ills with patience, but they ought not to say that it is the work of God, for James plainly says, “God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempts he any man [James 1:13].” However there is a joy in enduring temptation or the trials of life [James 1:12].
Having discovered that healing, not sickness is the work of God I am now free to receive it without concerning myself with the condemnation of Reformed Theologians who would suggest that it is the cross which I must daily bear.
I would contend with them, anyway when Christ bore the cross, I bore the cross. When Christ died, I died. When Christ rose again, I rose. It is a matter of identification with Christ. When I come to Christ for my healing I am, in fact bearing my cross for I am bringing it to him to be crucified—put to death in my body that his life might be manifest therein.
It is a matter of bearing the cross, which can be seen in the life of king Asa who died of a disease in his feet because he would not trust God to heal it [2 Chronicles 16:12]. Why would Asa not seek God for his healing? It was because he had rebelled against the word of the Lord [2 Chronicles 16:7-10].
Can you honestly say that Asa suffered in the will of God? No, he suffered because he refused to repent.
Having seen, in John chapter nine that God is glorified in my healing—that his works are manifest then I come to him to be healed that he might be glorified. It is a part of my worship of him and it is my praise and testimony to the world that Jesus saves to the utmost. Would any deny me that opportunity?
Before you discredit the healing ministry of Christ realize that it was this very thing that the religious leaders in his day sought to discredit—even at the time he healed the man born blind. Yet, because of that healing he who suffered the blindness was able to believe in the Savior.
If you so desire to exalt God in your healing, then come to him today for he will not disappoint. Through faith in the name of Jesus Christ you may be healed [Acts 3:16].
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A good subject to address. Christians need not be divided over the issue of healing, but I think some take offense because they have seen abuse in this area: they identify faith healing with rock-star type faith healers. A few churches hold doctrines about healing that result in judging and self-righteousness while some go to the other extreme and say Jesus doesn't heal at all in our day. Thank you for this well-written and thoughtful article.
