Why Not Today?
Scripture Reading — Mark 1:29-34
The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases.
In a conversation about Jesus’ miracles, someone asked, “If, Jesus ‘healed many who had various diseases,’ and if ‘Jesus is the same yesterday and today and forever,’ why should we not expect him to heal also today?”
And doesn’t Psalm 103:3 say that the Lord forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases?
Some people have said that perhaps Jesus doesn’t always heal because people do not have enough faith. But that idea has upset many faith-filled Christians who have prayed and prayed for physical healing for someone they loved—and yet there was no healing.
Or could it be, as some others have said, that the time for miraculous healings has passed?
Well, neither of those ideas makes sense. Miraculous healings still happen today, and some people have seen healings before their very eyes. We don’t know why some people are healed and some are not, but it does not have to do with a lack of faith. During his ministry on earth, Jesus did not heal everyone. And he did not promise physical healing for all who asked. (See also 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.) But Jesus does promise to give us strength to bear whatever burdens we may carry (Matthew 11:28).
Lord, help us to know that you always love and provide for us, whether healing comes now or in the life to come. Amen.
About the author — Arthur J. Schoonveld
Rev. Art Schoonveld is a retired minister in the Christian Reformed Church. Before retiring in 2001, he served churches in California, Illinois, and Michigan. Since his retirement he has worked part-time for the denomination and has served as an interim pastor. Art and his wife, Anita, have four children and nine grandchildren.
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