Today, our world is in chaos. People are in a state of fear, confusion, anger, and frustration more than any other time in history. People are being hospitalized at a record high all over the world. Panic is running rampant. People are looking for help, cures, healings, and an end to the current situation. The world is seeing that life is short; there are no guarantees for tomorrow.
James 4:14 Yet you do not know [the least thing] about what may happen in your life tomorrow. [What is secure in your life?] You are merely a vapor [like a puff of smoke or a wisp of steam from a cooking pot] that is visible for a little while and then vanishes [into thin air]. {3}.
People need to have hope, and they are in need of a savior.
Psalm 33:20 is a beautiful picture of this: “Our soul waits for the LORD; He is our help and our shield.” {4}. Psalm 130:5 “ I wait [patiently] for the LORD, my soul [expectantly] waits, And in His word do I hope”. {4}.
When we think of being healed, we think of going to see the doctor for a cure. This is not always the case as people search for healings in many different ways. Not everyone turns to a doctor for help or even calls out to Jesus for a divine miracle. Traditionally, when we get hurt or sick, we go to a doctor for treatment because we put our trust in his knowledge. So, in a like manner when we are in desperate situations, we cry out to God to intervene in our lives because we realize we can’t do it on our own.
In today’s world, the path to one’s healing can come in many ways. Some of the common practices are acupuncture, holistic remedies for natural healing, massage therapy, and chiropractic methods, along with herbal practices. Energy healing through stones and gems are also popular. We seek physical healing for our bodies, mental and emotional healing for our mind and spiritual healing for our soul.
In Jesus’ ministry, He healed the sick, the brokenhearted, and also those with emotional issues. He had compassion for those who were hurting and were seeking help and freedom from their conditions.
Jeremiah 30:1 For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds, says the Lord. {4}. Jeremiah 17:14 Heal me, O LORD and I shall be healed; Save me and I shall be saved, For you are my praise. {4}.
We look to Jesus for our hope, we believe His desire is to make us well.
Matthew 8:7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”
John 6:2, a large crowd was following Him because they had seen the signs (attesting miracles) which He continually performed on those who were sick.
How did Jesus heal? Did He have a certain practice or medicine that He used or gave out? What did He do? Jesus wants us to live in truth, be healed, be victorious, and overcome.
John 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the [only] Way [to God] and the [real] Truth and the [real] life; no one comes to the Father but through me.{3}. Matthew 9:35- Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages [in Galilee], teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the good news (gospel) of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness [His words and His works reflecting His Messiahship].{3}.
In John 5:1-15, we read a story about a man in need of a healing. For 38 years he had an infirmity and was amongst a multitude of sick people. They were blind, lame, and paralyzed. They all came to the pool called Bethesda, which means “house of kindness.” Every year, they traveled and waited by the pool for an angel to appear and stir the water. They knew whoever stepped in first was made well of whatever disease or illness they had. Every year with great anticipation this man yearned to be healed. He was so close many times but was never able to make it into the pool before the others.
Still, he never quit, and he was determined to overcome so he always came back. He did not know that this year would be different. Why? Jesus showed up. As He came upon him, Jesus knew he had been in that condition for a long time. He asked him, “Do you want to be made well?” The man answered, “Sir, I have no man to put me into the pool when the water is stirred up, but while I am coming, another steps down before me.” Jesus says to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.” Immediately the man was healed, took up his bed, and walked.
There are some key factors to look at here, so let’s break them down to get a deeper understanding. Looking at the man’s condition, he had an infirmity. What exactly is an infirmity? The word “infirmity” in Greek means feebleness of body or mind, malady, moral frailty, sickness, disease. So, in his condition, we know he had it for a long time, and since he could not make it to the pool without help, it is safe to say he had a physical ailment.
Infirmity:
feebleness of body or mind
malady
moral frailty
sickness
disease
The Hebrew of “water” means rain and shower. Not only is there water for cleansing and healing our body but also for the washing and cleansing of our soul.
Ephesians 5:26 so that He might sanctify the church, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word [of God]. {3}.
Deuteronomy 32:2 Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As raindrops on the tender herb, And as showers on the grass. {4}.
This is speaking of water as revelations/teachings or a deeper understanding of scripture. We are to look at the rhema (spiritual) words and not the logos (carnal) words.
The one who is bringing this message or leading and bringing it forth is called a messenger. A messenger is also referred to as an angel.
“Well,” as in water well, from a Hebraic understanding means to be healthy in body and true in doctrine, to be of a sound mind and whole. If Jesus knew his condition, why do you think He asked him if he wanted to be healed and didn’t just go ahead and heal him?
well:
to be healthy in body and true in doctrine
to be of a sound mind and whole
We are all given a free will and faith to act upon what we believe. Let’s see his response… he doesn’t even know he is speaking to Jesus the Messiah. He calls him Sir. Jesus listens to him with compassion and tells him to get up and rise. What happened here is that Jesus spoke.
Jesus is the voice who speaks words of healing into existence, and when the man hears and receives the words by believing, there is a rising up in his soul. It takes place within by being obedient to the voice. To “rise” means to get up from one’s bed, to assume an upright position. The Hebrew meaning of “rise” means to waken, rouse from sleep, from disease or death. We are spiritually asleep and/or dead when we do not understand the deeper meanings of scripture. We need to be awakened.
“Take up” means to lift, raise the voice, keep the mind in suspense, expiate sin. “Walk” is to tread all around, walk as proof of ability, deport oneself, follow as a companion. “Healing” means restoring to a sound state, to cure, an act of covering [1]. It is also the process of becoming well again, especially after a cut or other injury, or when a bad situation or painful emotion ends or improves [2].
Jesus is saying get up and come out of your ignorance that is a place of death and sickness. Come into an intimate relationship with me and be healed in your mind, body, and soul. Pursue a way of life with me, walk with me. Do not stay in a place of ignorance where there is sickness, disease, and death, but come into the truth where light abounds and heals you from all infirmities.
Do not stay in a place of ignorance where there is sickness, disease, and death, but come into the truth where light abounds and heals you from all infirmities.
He is speaking to us all, but we have to do our part and take action (which is faith) and move upon his words by being obedient( a sacrifice). When we hear the voice, we need to act; it is our choice whether we do or not. Will you remain the same or take a step of faith and be healed?
References:
1. Webster Dictionary
2. Cambridge Dictionary
3. Scripture reference from AMP Bible version.
4. Scripture reference from NKJV Bible version.
Keywords:
Healing
Jesus
Faith
Infirmities