Thoughts by Colin Waldock
One of the problematic questions that challenge the church
intermittently surrounds the question of miraculous healing,
particularly why it is that some people apparently experience the
wonder of healing experiences and others do not. The argument
that suggests that people who don't experience healing lack
sufficient faith is at the least unhelpful and at the worst harmful.
Many people have given up on the church because of unfeeling
comments by those who claim a Christian faith. Other arguments
include a Christian version of the Insha'Allah of Islam. Sadly we
are left with an image of God who chooses capriciously who to
heal and who to leave.
I have just finished reading "Simply Jesus" by N T Wright, a
book that doesn't focus on healing miracles specifically. My
understanding of the book is that the author is suggesting that this
thorny issue be set within the wider context of the rescue of the
whole of creation.
With the fall, Heaven and Earth it is argued gradually experienced
separation; at least from Man's perspective, until movement
between the two parts of God's creation become increasingly rare
and for humankind impossible. There is nothing we can do as
humans to fix the problem – in fact the harder we try the worse it
gets, Only God can fix the problem.
In Jesus, there is a new covenant. Heaven and Earth are fused in
Jesus, who is the living embodiment of creation as it is meant to
be. Those whom he touches experience this, the creation itself is
changed by Jesus in his interaction. Examples of which include
when Jesus walks on water (Matt 14:22-33).
Jesus' death and resurrection creates a beachhead in the
world. The accuser has already been bound in the wilderness
already, and it is through us that the beachhead makes progress
although just like in any battle, we should be prepared to meet stiff
resistance from outlying elements of the enemy until the work is
completed.
So how does this shed light on Miracles and Healing. Perhaps,
these episodes occur when Heaven and Earth meet and
God's true creation shines through. Sometimes these can be
spontaneous cracks. It leaves me wondering, are we then praying
for the wrong thing. Is the prayer we should be praying hidden
inside the very prayer that Jesus taught his disciples. "Your
kingdom come, Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven". We
pray for the fusion of Heaven and Earth on a weekly basis, but do
we really mean it? Do we know what we are asking for?
Healing therefore is the result of God's rule becoming apparent on
Earth as it is in Heaven. Lack of healing has nothing to do with
God being choosy or the sick person lacking faith. How many of
us have enough faith anyway? No, miracles happen when Heaven
and Earth meet, when there are crossing points.
Perhaps then it would be more appropriate instead of praying for
physical healing to pray "Your kingdom come, Your will be done,
on Earth as it is in Heaven".
