After completing this series a few months back, I have had people approach me as ask me to continue it. It would seem that more and more people want to learn about God’s healing miracles through the centuries, and therefore, there will be a few more editions in the series, “Miracles from the Past”.
The problem is that many Christians do not believe in God’s miraculous healings anymore. They say this is nonsense, that it was only for the Early Church. When we read the Bible in its entirety, however, we find that healing is everywhere in God’s Word. Healing happened in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament. Healing never stopped.
In fact, Jesus said: “The person who trusts me will not only do what I’m doing but even greater things, because I, on my way to the Father, am giving you the same work to do that I’ve been doing. You can count on it.” (John 14:12 NIV)
We know that Jesus healed people on a regular basis: “Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. (Matt 9:35 NIV) He cared, and He wants God’s followers to care for the sick as well and to pray for their healing. In Jesus’ own words, if we believe, we will also be able to heal the sick in His name.
Let’s remember that it isn’t us who heals. When we trust Jesus, He will give the healing we are requesting to the person who is sick. Our job is to believe.
Let’s take a closer look at John 14:12: “Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” (John 14:12-14 )
In other words Jesus wants us to work WITH Him. Our job is to believe, to care and to pray for the sick; Jesus does the rest. He cares so much!
Let us go back in time to the early 19th century, 1834-1892. This is the time of the famous evangelist, Charles Haddon Spurgeon…
One day, Charles Spurgeon met up with a man who had a high fever. The doctor had told him that his case was critical. After praying for him, and this man was healed through Jesus.
For years a man with a significant limp requiring the use of a cane attended Charles Spurgeon’s church. One day, while he was walking, he noticed that he was no longer limping but was walking firmly. He paused to thank God, and then he threw away his cane!
One day Charles Spurgeon met a mentally-afflicted Canadian man. The man asked Charles to pray for him. That night, the Canadian had a dream of meeting Jesus Jesus assured him that he was free from the devils. The next morning, he woke up completely healed.
A child was fatally ill with a contagious disease. The family asked Charles Spurgeon to pray for their daughter. After the prayer, the little girl asked for water, and then she said: “I feel very much better.” She would report that during the prayer she felt strange sensations, and she knew she was healed.
All thanks be to Jesus.
When we come along with Jesus, when we focus and testify in His name, miracles happen. God is the healer, we are simply asked to pray for those who are sick: “Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” (James 5:14 NIV)
In His love,
Rob Chaffart
(To view the entire “Miracles From the Past” devotional series, please click here.)