TEXT:
‘And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.”’ (Matthew 9:28).
In Part 1 we focussed on questions Jesus asked about personal salvation. Through those, Jesus revealed how much He values each individual person; how much compassion He has for those in need; how people need a revelation to see their need of Him; how there needs to be miraculous demonstrations following the preaching of the gospel, so the lost know we are speaking the truth!
Now we consider questions Jesus asked those in need of healing, to reveal and reward faith.
Healing
1. To discover facts
Jesus asked the demoniac, ‘What is your name?’ (Mark 5:8). He said to the crowds, ‘Who touched My clothes?’ (Mark 5:31). He asked the epileptic’s father, ‘How long has this been happening to him?’ (Mark 9:21).
Jesus asked brief questions. Sometimes too much investigation into the problem can talk ourselves into unbelief! When Jesus saw the crowds were confused by His disciples’ inability to cast out the demon from the epileptic son, and that the demon was tormenting the son once again, He immediately dealt with it. The son was set free on a permanent basis.
While conducting deliverance sessions, some ministers like to engage in conversation with the evil spirit. We would do well to act like Jesus did. Keep questions brief and then cast out the spirit through the power and authority of the name of Jesus. Remember, demons are called deceiving or lying spirits, so anything a person says under the influence of that evil spirit, may or may not be the truth.
One thing is for sure, Jesus had a 100% record when casting out demons. He expects His church to do likewise.
It is also important to realise the Bible sometimes links deliverance and healing. ‘And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed’ (Luke 6:17-18). Therefore, we need to keep this in mind when ministering to the sick, that the problem may be spiritual, not just physical. Jesus showed this when healing the woman bent double. He revealed the cause of her infirmity was an evil spirit (See Luke 13:10-17).
Thank God, one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit is “Discerning of Spirits” and through this gift we can discern the source of the problem.
2. To discover faith
Jesus asked the two blind men, ‘Do you believe that I am able to do this?’ (Matthew 9:28). He said to Blind Bartimaeus, ‘What do you want me to do for you?’ (Mark 10:51). When he asked for sight, Jesus commended his faith and he could immediately see. Jesus asked the man who had an infirmity for thirty-eight years, ‘Do you want to be made well?’ (John 5:1-9). When he explained why he couldn’t step into the water in time, Jesus told him to, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk’. He obeyed immediately and was totally healed.
How sad! All the religious authorities could do was criticise him for carrying his bed on the Sabbath, instead of rejoicing that someone had been miraculously healed!
In her grief Martha cried, ‘Lord, if You had been here, my brother would not have died’ (John 11:21). When Jesus replied, “Your brother will rise again”, she thought He was referring to the resurrection at the end of the age, but Jesus intended to raise Lazarus there and then. That’s why he asked her, ‘I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?’ (John 11:25-26).
Miracles of healing can help people to believe. ‘Then Jesus said to him, unless you see signs and miracles happen, you [people] never will believe (trust, have faith) at all’ (John 4:48 AMPC). The nobleman did respond to Jesus’ rebuke and acted in faith. The healing of his son resulted in the whole household believing in Jesus as Saviour.
Peter witnessed whole communities turn to the Lord, when God used him to heal the paralytic who had been bed-ridden for eight years (See Acts 9:32-35). Seeing what God has done for someone else can help us to believe that God wants to do the same for us too.
Finally, imagine you are that man at the pool of Bethesda. You have suffered for so long and suddenly Jesus asks you, “Do you want to be made well?” What would you reply? Or perhaps you are asking God for something, and Jesus suddenly asks you, “Do you believe I am able to do it?” Would you immediately say, “Yes Lord?”
It’s wonderful when hope turns to faith, for that will be rewarded. ‘How much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him!’ (Matthew 7:11).
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