In any project that we undertake, it is useful to gather the essential ingredients ahead of time. If you are going to bake a cake, you better have flour, milk, eggs, and salt on hand. Otherwise, you might create something, but it will not be a cake. If you want an engine to run, you must have air, fuel, and a spark. Neglecting one of those key ingredients will result in failure. Having what you need is a key to success.
Oddly, though, when it comes to spiritual things, many people do not make any preparations at all. They go to church as passive spectators and hope that whatever happens is useful to them. This passive attitude is underscored when people then talk about whether they “Got something from the service” or whether they were “fed” or not. Understood correctly, though, faith is not passive. We are meant to be participants!
In Mark 2, a paralyzed man wanted to be healed, but he could not get into the house where Jesus was because the crowd was too large. Not knowing what else to do, the man’s friends took him to the roof, made a hole, and lowered him down on a mat. When Jesus saw this, he was so amazed at their faith that he healed the man and told him that his sins were forgiven as well.
In Matthew 9, a lady who had been dealing with a debilitating medical issue for more than twelve years thought, “If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed”. She found Jesus, touched his coat and she was right.
The story of a disliked tax collector is told in Luke 19. He wanted to see Jesus as he passed by but was too short and the crowd would not let him in, so he climbed a tree to get a vantage point. When Jesus saw him, he told Zacchaeus that he wanted to go to his house. Zacchaeus’ life completely changed that day.
Jesus did not heal people at random. It was always in response to their faith, their effort, or their pleas. He responded when people participated.
To be clear, God has all the power. Everything starts and ends with him. However, that does not mean that there is nothing for us to do.
Spiritual healing begins when we stop watching and start participating.
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