Lubber Opinion
Does Jesus Heal All?: “The views and opinions expressed by this lubber do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of the crew. Reader discretion be advised.” – Staff
Does Jesus Heal All?
Now that the official Southern Baptist position is that Jesus no longer grants healing and the removal of sickness, perhaps we should ask: Does Jesus heal all? Here is a portion of the SBC’s official position on healing, prosperity, and provision in Christ.
2022 ANNUAL MEETING OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONVENTION DAILY BULLETIN
“The belief that Jesus’ sacrificial and atoning death grants believers health, wealth, and the removal of sickness… be it RESOLVED, that the messengers to the Southern Baptist Convention denounce the teaching of the (this) gospel.”
For reference here is how one Southern Baptist pastor framed this new stance.
“This type of Gospel asserts that physical health through faith are the automatic divine right of all Bible-believing Christians and may be procreated by faith as part of the package of salvation, since the Atonement of Christ includes not just the removal of sin, but also the removal of sickness. This false Gospel directly contradicts the teaching and example of Jesus. Our health in this life is not guaranteed. We may be promised healing, but it’s not in there (Scripture). It’s in glory where healing is guaranteed. Let’s not place our hope in the wrong place. We want health. And we’ve heard Jesus does this. So we go to the genie. We are just asking Jesus to give us what we’ve always wanted. That’s not the Christian faith. That’s not Gospel fruit.”
What Jesus Says About Healing
“Tell John what you have seen and heard. The blind see. The lame walk. Those with leprosy are cured. The deaf hear. The dead are raised to life. The Good News is being preached to the poor.” – Jesus (Luke 7:22)
“I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.” – Jesus (John 10:10)
Jesus went everywhere in the country of Galilee. He taught in the synagogues and told the Good News about God’s kingdom. And he healed all the people’s diseases. (Matthew 4:23) (Matthew 9:35)
Jesus drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases. (Matthew 8:16-17)
If we doubt that Jesus came to heal all, then search the Scriptures for all instances where Jesus ultimately refused to heal someone, anyone. Should you find such a verse, then there might be a kernel of truth to this declaration that “the removal of sickness is a false Gospel.”
What the Gospels Say About Healing and Faith
Except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them, Jesus did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith. (Matthew 13:58) (Mark 6:5)
Jesus answered, “I was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel.” The woman came and knelt before him. “Lord, help me!” she said. (Matthew 15:23-25)
In the case of his hometown, Jesus could only heal a few. Not because he lacked power and compassion, but because they lacked faith in him. The SBC’s position of faith and healing states: “(this gospel) solely blames people for their own sickness due to lack of faith.” And yet Jesus himself says:
“Your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.” (Mark 5:34)
“Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” (Luke 17:19)
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road. (Mark 10:52)
Clearly our faith in Jesus, his compassion, his desire to make us whole, plays some part in our healing.
In the case of the Syrophoenician woman who asked Jesus to heal her daughter, his disciples warned Jesus to send her away. In response Jesus said nothing. He simply waited in silence as if watching to see how she would react to their rebuke—to see if she believed that he cared enough to go beyond his mission and heal someone outside of the boundaries of his calling. Her posture (kneeling) and words spoken aloud made clear she believed Jesus could heal her daughter.
What We Believe Matters
Does Jesus Heal All?
Belief in the whole nature of Jesus plus faith leads to our expectations that he will act on our behalf.
Does healing always come? Is it instantaneous? Consider the case of one blind man.
Jesus took a blind man by the hand and led him outside the village. When he had spit on the man’s eyes and put his hands on him, Jesus asked, “Do you see anything?”
He looked up and said, “I see people; they look like trees walking around.”
Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. (MARK 8:23-25)
Our Doubts Matter
Will Jesus Heal All?
When we look for evidence of healing and find our situation has not improved or only improved some, we may conclude that Jesus has not healed. Such doubts can undo the work of his healing.
When Peter first sought to walk on water he demonstrated faith and stepped out of the boat. But when he saw the wind (opposition coming against him) he sank.
He was afraid and, beginning to sink. Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:30-31)
Jesus gave Peter the ability to walk on water. Peter’s doubts robbed him of the full expression of this blessing.
Jesus is not a genie. Faith in Jesus is not magic. Disbelief and doubt can rob us of healing, provision, and yes, even prosperity. Jesus can heal all. Jesus wants to heal all. May we simply believe that he desires and will heal us.
I recognize that for some who might read this the enemy will attempt to shame and blame—make those who remain less-than-whole and healthy feel as if their condition is their fault. To you I offer these words from Jesus.
“Neither this man nor his parents sinned (are to blame), but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed.” (John 9:3)
Rather than accept blame (and also embrace a spirit of affliction), imagine Jesus is speaking to you as he spoke to Peter: “Why you you doubt? You have a little faith. Believe.” See Jesus reaching towards you to lift you up.
Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught Peter. (Matthew 14:31)
Our Lord is not one to leave us broken and embarrassed by our condition. He wants us to be whole. That is his heart’s desire. And mine for you. Immerse yourself in his word and trust that what he said and did 2000 years ago he still does today.