At the beginning of the chapter, Jesus says this, “When Jesus saw their faith ….” In several reported incidents in this chapter, he refers to the faith of the ones who are healed. But we have many examples of people healed where faith isn’t mentioned or that perhaps the people didn’t even particularly have faith. How would a demon-possessed person even have faith?
I think there are a couple of ideas around this idea of faith that brings healing. And, of course, it is ultimately God who brings the healing. First, anyone who comes to Jesus seeking healing, likely has some amount of faith that he can heal. But it might be small, and maybe more hope than faith. Still, some amount of faith.
Second, in all cases, there is Jesus’ faith. That is always present.
I also believe that God can heal even without faith present. He’s God. He does what he wants.
Nevertheless, I think one of the main teachings in this chapter is that these healings happened not by magic, not by special powers in Jesus, but God working through Jesus in conjunction with their faith.
Also, as Sarah pointed out in a comment on Matthew 8, Jesus is interested in the full person, healing physically and spiritually, as shown by his response to the faith shown at the beginning of the chapter, “Have courage, son! Your sins are forgiven.”
Lots of other stuff in the chapter. How are you responding?
Thank you, Jim. I think you gave a balanced, Biblical view of faith and healing. Unfortunately, I have had quite a few experiences with people who do not hold such a balanced view. They have said wrong and unkind things about my faith, health and mental health issues, “You’re still depressed and not healed because you don’t have enough faith.” “If you’d truly believe in your heart that God could heal you, you’d be healed. You’re holding back.” They make the big mistake of taking a verse or two out of context and not looking at the big picture of the whole Bible. For example, Matthew 21:22 “If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” People have used this verse to admonish me that God isn’t answering my prayers for healing because I’m not really believing. Again, thanks, Jim, for a balanced, Biblical view on this.
It’s an unfortunate situation and I’m sorry you have to deal with it. I didn’t even really express all that I might say about faith and healing, but I’m glad I didn’t imply that we will be healed if we have faith, always.