6. No Favourites Here
Healing every class
Mark 1:40-42
Trevor Young lectures in the Department of Theological Studies, Newbold College, UK, in Pastoral & Biblical Studies with Research Interest in the book of Acts and the birth of Christianity. He is passionate about young people and their development whether in well-being, music, education, or spirituality. He is married to Jasmine, with whom he shares two children, Serena and Jonathan.
I remembered when I was growing up, there was this youth club to which I belonged, which was involved in sporting as well as various other activities. Anyone who is familiar with me knows that sports play an integral part in my life. I was such a major influence on both the track and football teams that I enjoyed special privileges from the coaches, to the disgust of my other team-mates. Of course the human side of me would bask in those privileges. Who wouldn’t? As humans we have an inherent nature that enables us to treat some more special than others. That’s how it is with us; in fact that’s human nature. However it’s quite the contrary with our Saviour. He treats everyone as equal; ‘there are no favourites here, for He is no respecter of persons.’ It does not matter where you are from, where you have been, who your parents are, or what they own, how large your bank balance is, or the positions you hold in church. With our Lord these things do not matter, He sees us, as we truly are; sinners in need of His saving grace. He sees not as the world sees, for with us we see the outward appearance.
However He looks deeper and sees the entire picture, ‘Man looks at the outward appearance but God looks at the heart’. There are no special privileges for us to enjoy.
The Bible testifies that all of us were born in sin and shaped in iniquity. As a result of sin some of us have deformities, diverse diseases, physical and mental abnormalities. Some of these diseases can be healed by medical practitioners, for God has given them the knowledge However the Great Physician heals not only our physical and mental state, but also our spiritual state. In order to heal us, he must first heal our souls. He starts with our hearts, and then he heals our physical and mental abnormalities. However, we must accept by faith that He is able to do so. ‘For without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek him’ (Heb. 11:16). There are many who may feel downtrodden, depressed, and disheartened- like outcasts. (as if the dregs of society.Let not your hearts be troubled, for Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost, to heal the sick, to comfort the disheartened and to lead sinners to repentance. ‘The whole [healthy] has no need of a Saviour, but those that are sick’. The scripture tells us that ‘they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils and He cast out the spirits with His word and healed all that were sick. That it might fulfil that which was spoken by the prophet Esias, saying, ‘Himself took our infirmities and bear our sicknesses’, (Matt. 8:16-17)1. What a wonderful testimony, we can therefore rest assured knowing that He heals all classes, whether rich or poor, even outcasts like lepers.
Leprosy was the most dreaded disease of its age. Its incurable and contagious character, and its horrible effects upon its victims, filled even the bravest with fear. Among the Jews it was regarded as a judgement on account of sin. By the ritual law, the leper was pronounced unclean. Like one already dead, he was shut out from society, isolated from his family, and was doomed to associate only with those who were similarly afflicted. Whatever he touched was unclean, even the air was polluted by his breath. He was obliged to publish his own calamity, to rend his garments, and sound the alarm, warning all to flee from his contagious presence. (Ministry of Healing, pg. 45)2
The scripture (Mk. 1:40-42) tells the story of the leper who came beseeching Jesus, saying ‘if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean’. For he had heard the good news about the ministry of Jesus, and knew that all who had sought Him for help were not turned away. He was determined to find the Saviour, no matter how great the difficulties were. He first believed that Jesus was able to heal him, and he trusted in him to do so. As a result, faith strengthened in his heart, and he thought of nothing else but his blessed hope of healing.
His eyes were fixed on Jesus, as he purposed in his heart that only The Saviour could impart lifegiving power to heal him of the dreaded disease that etched away at his mortal flesh. He believed, and as a result of his faith, he was healed. Every one of us has been given a measure of faith; it is up to us to exercise that faith.
Therefore when we come to Jesus we must first believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seeks Him. Whosoever will fall at His feet, saying in faith, ‘Lord if thou wilt’, Thou canst make me clean, will hear the answer, ‘I will, be thou clean’. (Matt.8:2-3)3.
At times we are so sick and overtaken by diseases and infirmities that we are too weak to seek the master for ourselves. However our loved ones may intercede on our behalf, and earnestly desire for us to be healed. The scripture tells us in (Matt. 9:2) how the man sick of the palsy was brought in his bed to Jesus by his friends. The crowd was so thick that they couldn’t get in, but they were determined that if they got him to Jesus he would be healed. They allowed nothing to stand in their way. So they sought means to bring him in and when they realised conventional ways would not work, they went upon the housetop and let him down through the roof. When Jesus saw their faith, and his belief that only He could make him whole, the life giving mercies of the Saviour had first blessed his longing heart. For He had watched the first glimmer of faith grow into a belief that He was the sinner’s only helper, and had seen it grow with every effort to come into His presence. Now with words that fell like music on the sufferer’s ear th saviour said, ‘Son be of good cheer, thy sins be forgiven thee’. (Matt 9:2) The burden of sin rolled from his soul, the peace of forgiveness rest upon his countenance. His physical pain is gone and his whole being is transformed. The helpless paralytic is healed, the guilty sinner is pardoned. (Desire of Ages, p. 227)4
Can you imagine having friends like those, who are so concerned about you that they would go through any lengths to help you? Those are friends who, if you are in the gutter they will come down there and help you to get out. These are the type of folks we need to associate with, the Bible testifies that every man should not look on himself, but on the other, let us bear one another’s burdens.’ You do no want to be ill or facing some severe circumstances or situation, and all around you is crumbling and falling to pieces. Then to top it all you have the added burden of your friends and loved ones’ discouraging words and actions. In these times you don’t need to be discouraged, you need to be encouraged. So when your friends discourage you, rebuke them in Jesus’ name and fix your eyes on Him. As the song writer poignantly pens it, ‘turn your eyes upon Him, look full in His wonderful face and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the wonder of his glory and grace.’
On the other hand, there are those who want to see us remain in sin and be burdened down by our circumstances and infirmities. Therefore they will be like stumbling blocks. Instead of rejoicing with and for us, they complain and mourn as the Pharisees did. However be comforted by the fact that Jesus can heal and set you free from whatever illness, circumstance or sin that besets you; and whom The Son sets free, is free indeed.
There are times when we have been so long mangled in sin, adverse situations or difficult circumstances, but instead of losing hope we persevere. Hope still burns within our hearts that our healing will happen.
Of the time we know not, however we are assured and confident that it will happen. Our confidence and assurance is not in us, because of ourselves we can do nothing. On the contrary our confidence rests in Him, Our Saviour and Lord, Jesus Christ the righteous. The bible testifies that His word shall not come back to Him void, but it will accomplish that which it sets out to do. So if He says it, then you receive it, believe it, stand on it and you will achieve it. We may have to wait a while for our deliverance to arrive; therefore we need to exercise patience. However the scriptures testify of how strengthened a man will be when he waits upon the Lord. ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall rene their strength….’ (Isa. 40:31)5. As a result of being overtaken so long in our circumstance, condition o situation, we become outcasts of society. Our so-called friends and associates reject us, and we are exclude from social gatherings, parties, etc. Luke 8:43 tell us of the woman who had an issue of blood for twelve years spent all her money on doctors and medication, all to no avail. Then she heard of Jesus and knew where he was going to be next. She trusted the Saviour’s love and knew that this was her only hope of ever being healed. Consequently she turned up to see Him, only to find a sea of people. This made it almost impossible for her to get close to Him, much less to commune with Him about her problem. So she purposed in her heart and believed that if only she could touch the hem of Jesus’ garment, then she would be healed. She pressed and pressed until she got within arms reach and finally she was able to touch just the hem of His garment. This she did and immediately she was healed. At times also we may feel disheartened and depressed because our situation may have been plaguing us for many, many years. John 5:2 testifies of the man who had an infirmity for 38 years. Surely he must have given up, and his mind riddled with bullets of doubt. He must have been wondering if there was still hope for him. Surely we can all understand that, and perhaps some of us may even be able to relate to it. Let us empathise with this man, who could have been a close friend, a neighbour or even a relative. Can you imagine how he must have felt, what must be going through his mind, for 38 long years? Now Jesus happens to be passing by where he was, and stopped by him. Don’t think for a moment that it was by chance that Jesus came his way. Instead it was by divine appointment, for the Saviour always appears at the appointed time, and this was to be his day of deliverance. Jesus knew of his case, hence He reached out to his faith by asking him if he wanted to be made whole. This was to see where he was spiritually, because Jesus already knew he wanted to be healed. How would he respond to The Saviour? How would you respond if you were in the presence of the Great Physician?
Sure enough his faith was weak, he responded by focussing on the obstacles in his way. Instead of looking steadfast on Jesus and His promises, he focussed on his problems, oblivious to the fact that the stirring of the water that he waited upon, received its healing powers from the Living Well who was communing with him. I encourage you brethren that no matter what situation, circumstances, illness or shortcomings you may face, let not your hearts be troubled, for we serve a mighty God who is touched with the feelings of our infirmities. He hears the cries his children raise and always meet our needs, so keep your eyes fixed on Him. Hold steadfast to his promises because they are sure, and abide by his words because they are true. However, the devil, ‘the father of lies’, impregnates your mind with seeds of doubt and disbelief that weakens your faith and causes you to lose hope. But there is hope, and we can find no relief until we run to the healer of the soul. The peace that He alone can give, imparts vigour to the mind and health to the body. Jesus came to destroy the works of the devil. In Him is life, and He says, ‘I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly’ (Jn. 10:10)6.
Luke 7:1-16 testifies of various miracles performed by the Saviour.
The centurion was a very important man in Rome. He was admired by the Jewish Elders as he had built them a synagogue. He had manifested respect for the service of God, and shown kindness to the Jews as His worshippers. He felt unworthy to come into the presence of the Saviour and appealed to the Jewish elders to make request for the healing of his servant. The centurion did not question the His power. He did not even ask Him to come in person to perform the miracle. ‘Speak the word only,’ he said and ‘my servant shall be healed.’ The centurion’s servant was sick with the palsy and lay at the point of death. Jesus marvelled at his faith, and healed his servant according to the faith of his master. (Desire of Ages, pg. 317)7
Luke 18:35 tell us of the blind beggar that was healed by Jesus. Jesus does not care who you are or where you are, He has an everlasting love for all. Even beggars experienced his mercies. At times we need to lift our voices to the Creator and Redeemer, as only He can save us from this wretched sinful life. When others try to silence us from approaching the mercy seat, we need to raise our voices even higher. Imagine being physically blind, not being able to see anything, and all around you is total darkness. This alone should strengthen your faith, because you are at the mercy of everyone around as well as the elements of nature. To make matters worse you are confined to a life of solitude and begging for alms. Luke tells us of the blind beggar who heard that Jesus was near. Oh how his spirit must have burned within. Jesus’ fame had spread abroad, so he must have heard of all the miracles and healing He had done for others. Now to hear that He was near, that he had to accept by faith, because he could not see for himself. It was his faith that led him to cry out; ’Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.’ As would be expecte there were those who wanted to steal his joy, to silence his cry for his only hope of being healed. But he was not about to let any one or anything stand in his way, so even though Jesus did not hear, the man did not lose faith, he shouted even louder. Now the Great Physician heals the sick, He hears the cries his children raise and always meet their needs. Jesus already knew of his situation, so after commanding that he be brought to Him, He asked him what was his request. Now Jesus knew he wanted to be healed, but He wanted him to exercise his faith, He wanted first to heal his sin sick soul. Oh such faith, the blind man responded ‘oh that I would receive my sight’. Jesus healed him and immediately he received his sight and glorified God. He came into the world to save all that would believe and accept Him. We are no longer aliens but children of God, and as children of God we are heirs and partakers to the throne.
Jesus is no respecter of persons, whether you are a lawyer, doctor or an accountant residing in the upper echelons of society, or a janitor, domestic helper or garbage collector living on the other side of the tracks. Whether you are surrounded with loved ones and friends, or you are the life and soul of the party, or you may even be so snubbed and overlooked, that you feel like an outcast. Be comforted that in His sight the souls of all men are of equal value. In Him is life-giving power, and He still has the same power now that He had in his earthly ministry, as He ministers in our behalf in the heavenly sanctuary.
He heals all manner of diseases, whether those who come to Him for help are rich or poor, without distinction of age, rank, nationality, colour, creed, religious privilege, or social class. All are invited to come unto Him and live. ‘Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed: For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek….. (Rom. 10:11-12)8. ‘The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all’ (Prov. 2:2)9. ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord the same shall be saved’ (Rom. 10:13)10 There are no favourites here; He is no respecter of persons.
References:
1Matthew 8:16, 17
2The Ministry of Healing, p. 45
3Matthew 8:2, 3
4Desire of Ages, p. 227
5Isaiah 40:31
6John 10:10
7Desire of Ages, p. 317
8Romans 10:11, 12
9Romans 10:13
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