Matthew 14:34-36 ESV And when they had crossed over, they came to the land at Gennesaret. And when the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around to all the region and brought to Him all that were sick and implored Him that they might only touch the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.
Multiple places in the gospels it mentions Jesus going to a place and healing everyone who came to Him. Jesus is the same today as He was then, except for His resurrected body. Why is it that He doesn’t heal everyone who comes to Him in prayer today?
God still heals! I know He does. I’ve seen it and I’ve experienced it. He just doesn’t heal every time we ask Him. So why not, why does He respond differently today than He did then?
There are several reasons why God may not heal someone when they sincerely pray. The first is that while God does not change, the situation has. Jesus was incarnated as a man for a specific purpose. He was/is the promised Messiah, the Savior of the world. Much of what He did during His earthly life and ministry fulfilled scripture so that people could check the writings of the prophets and have faith in Jesus. While God still heals, Jesus’ ministry was a one-time event in history.
Humans have a finite life span (Ecclesiastes 12:7). Except for a couple of notable exceptions (Genesis 5:24 & 2 Kings 2:11), everyone dies physically. Death of the frail body we inhabit is not necessarily a bad thing. For the Christian, it is God’s reward so they can enter into a better existence. God may be allowing a person to leave this life of hardship so they can enter the next phase and receive the treasures they have stored in heaven.
Sometimes the illness may serve a purpose. While it is unpleasant, God may be giving/allowing the illness for a reason. He may be using it to shape, mold, or prepare the person for something. For example, He may be using the weakness brought on by the illness to turn a proud, independent heart into a humble, dependent one.
The illness may bring opportunity. Both times my wife had cancer she had the opportunity to share the gospel with people who were very aware of their own mortality. She would not have been in that place to offer hope had she not been dealing with the disease. I’ve heard the story of a frustrated missionary who finally found a field he was successful in among a leper colony when he himself contracted leprosy.
It is even possible the illness offers some protection. The apostle Paul said that God gave him some “thorn in the flesh” to keep him from being puffed up (2 Corinthians 12:7). Many people theorize the thorn was an eye disease. I’ve also heard the story of a woman who was saved from sexual assault because of a skin condition that made the would-be rapist afraid to touch her.
God can heal and God does heal. He does so in His timing and not always ours. Sometimes He chooses not to heal. Let’s not assume we can dictate to God by using a formula or incantation, even if we find it in the Bible.
Heavenly Father, You are the Great Physician. Thank You for the hope of Your healing. Grant us the proper attitude to believe in Your ability but also trust in Your judgment and decision.
2 Replies to “Matthew 14:34-36”
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Good thoughts Tom. I feel like adding that an illness not healed might be for the care giver, used in various ways. After all, Rom 8:28. ( the verse that covers most of my unanswered questions ) Thanks for another good study.
You are right. That would be another possible reason. God could be using the illness to impact someone else through you.