This healing Jesus (5)

In looking at God’s character, we focus on the incarnation.

1Tim. 3:15-16;
15 But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

By saying pillar and ground of truth, Paul isn’t saying there’s a lie. Rather, truth is the Greek word ‘Aletheia’ meaning reality. The adjective of ‘Aletheia’ is ‘alethinos’ – used in Lk. 16:11 for true riches, meaning real riches. Same in Jn. 1:9 – ‘true light’ signifies a distinction between Jesus and the prophets. He is the real light. True is often used for what remains forever or abides forever. For instance, in Heb. 8:2, ‘true tabernacle’ does not mean there’s a fake tabernacle, rather it means the tabernacles that abides, that doesn’t fade away.

‘Alethinos’ is therefore a comparison between something that is temporary and another that will last forever.

Paul calls the church ‘the pillar and ground of truth’; The church, therefore, becomes the headquarter for discussing eternal realities, things that last.

‘Without controversy’ is the Greek word ‘homologous’ meaning our common confession. This means that there’s a revelation in Christ that’s our common confession.

What’s our common confession?

– God was manifest in the flesh
– Justified in the Spirit
– He was seen of angels

Note that, he was seen. God’s visibility is in Christ Jesus. Jesus was ‘seeable’, he was also ‘touchable’. He ate, slept, and wept. He felt the same things humans felt, He was God in flesh. The four accounts of the Gospel which are a chronicle of the life and activities of Jesus on earth therefore authenticate the resurrection for us. And because Jesus is alive, he’s doing the same works in us today. The incarnate Jesus has now become the indwelling Jesus. We have seen that a vital part of his incarnation is healing. Thus, that would also become a vital part of the indwelling too; remember, he is the same yesterday, today and forever.

In Peter’s sermon to the household of Cornelius, he notes the fact that Jesus healed the sick.

Jesus never made anyone sick. The Holy Ghost is for doing good (Acts 10:38).

let’s see something vital:

In Matt 11, when John walked in offence and sent his disciples to question the ministry of Jesus.

See Jesus’ response: vs. 4-5;
4 Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see:
5 The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Out of the six signs Jesus mentioned, five of them were about healing. in other words, Jesus wanted them to remind John of the proofs of the messiah. Thus, the healing ministry was a vital ensign of the saviour.

That said,

It’s important to note that, in the healing ministry, anyone can receive.

Matt. 15:24-25;
24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel
25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

This woman came to Jesus to receive healing for her daughter. The woman’s persistence was counted as faith. Sometimes, just like this woman, all you just need to say is “Lord, help me”.

In John 5, at the pool of Bethesda, despite the multitude of sick people, Jesus only healed one man. God does not force healing on people. So, the believer must know how to receive healing.

See the woman who had the issue of blood too;

Many people were pressing against Jesus, yet only one woman had faith to receive healing for herself. Jesus didn’t tell her to touch his clothe, she simply made up her mind to. So, in healing, the recipient must be willing to receive. To get healed requires nothing but permission on the part of the recipient.

The preacher is a minister of the power of God, not a magician. So, there’s a response of faith that healing requires.

The believer must learn to receive the power of God. Remember, Jesus couldn’t do much in his hometown because of unbelief. In ministry, the Christian must know where to draw the line of familiarity because you can’t receive from whom you don’t honour.

Jesus shows us that teaching cures unbelief. He sent his disciples to teach the people of his hometown. So, the believer must learn to stay on the word in receiving healing. Don’t lose faith. Keep your persistence. Take advantage of every word that comes out of your mouth too, and speak faith-filled words.

No matter how tough the situation gets, the power of God does not reduce. Trust in the power of God, and receive healing for yourself and yours today. God’s power is ever working.

Daily Bible Reading Plan:
Num. 27 – 30

TEACHING OF THE DAY
Ministering and receiving miracles