Biblical Answer

Jesus Affirms the Reality of Disease

When Jesus heals, He never denies the reality of the disease. Rather, He affirms its reality and glorifies God for its cure. This is evident in Jesus' interactions with the invalid at the Pool of Bethesda. The invalid believed that he would be healed if he could just touch Jesus, but Jesus never promised him healing. Instead, Jesus asked him if he wanted to be healed and then told him to take up his mat and walk (John 5:6-9). Jesus' affirmation of the invalid's disease was not a denial of its reality, but rather a way of emphasizing that he had the power to heal it. Similarly, when Jesus healed the man with skin disease, He touched him and said, "I am going to heal you" (Mark 1:41). Jesus' words affirm the reality of the disease, but also emphasize His power to heal it.

Faith and Healing

Faith is necessary for physical healing to occur. Jesus often emphasized the importance of faith in His healings. For example, when Jesus healed the paralytic, He said, "Your sins are forgiven" (Mark 2:5). This statement implies that the man's paralysis was a result of his sin, and that forgiveness was necessary for healing to occur. Similarly, when Jesus healed the blind man, He asked him if he believed in the Son of Man (John 9:35). Jesus' emphasis on faith in His healings is not just a way of emphasizing the importance of faith, but also a way of emphasizing the power of God to heal. Jesus is not just a miracle worker, but a Savior who offers forgiveness and healing to those who trust in Him.

Jesus' Authority to Heal

Jesus' healings demonstrate His authority to forgive sins and heal diseases. When the religious leaders questioned Jesus' authority to forgive sins, Jesus responded by saying, "The Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins" (Mark 2:10). Jesus' healings are a demonstration of this authority, and a way of emphasizing that He is the Son of God who has the power to forgive sins and heal diseases. Jesus' healings are not just a way of demonstrating His power, but also a way of emphasizing the importance of faith and trust in Him. By affirming the reality of disease, emphasizing the importance of faith, and demonstrating His authority to heal, Jesus shows us that He is the Savior who offers forgiveness and healing to those who trust in Him.