Jesus had just told his disciples he was sending them out two by two to preach the gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons etc, when James (little James (yes there were two James’s)) approached Jesus asking a difficult question … ”you want me to go and heal others, and I’ve seen you heal others also, but why haven’t you healed me, one of your own?” … a great question!
James is depicted here as a quiet, perhaps even hesitant / shy man, and also he had a significant debilitating limp when walking …
“But Lord, why haven’t you healed me?”
Jesus looks at James and answers him …
- My Father and I trust you.
- I heard your cry in my Fathers will, but He and I had another plan for you.
- Remember, I love you.
- Remember, you are so very precious to me.
- You, James, have the power to heal others – it’s My power yes, but you have the mandate and authority to administer it.
- Many, thousands, even tens of thousands, will testify of me because I have healed them, but how precious to my Father and I is the testimony of one who believes in me and praises God even when he isn’t healed. Your reward will be great.
- Suffering develops patience on earth knowing that in eternity, there will be no suffering.
- Not everyone can bear this – my Father and I trust you with this calling.
- It’s easy to say “I am fearfully and wonderfully made” but acknowledging it doesn’t make the here and now any easier knowing that, and that’s fine to feel that way, don’t condemn yourself.
- Don’t compare yourself to others – your journey is tailor made for you to bring glory to God.
- The Father doesn’t care what you may look like, a limp, a stutter, a strange way of having to do things, He looks at the heart.
- It’s easy for me (Jesus) to heal the body, but the heart of man is much harder to heal.
- James, you will be a healer of hurt and hardened hearts. God is far more interested in the healing of the human heart, more than just the body alone.
- The Fathers plan for people may be a mystery to you, and that’s okay.
- The Lord gives, and the Lord takes away – Blessed be the name of the Lord.
- Hold on, and keep holding on and you will discover your true strength because of your weakness.
- The impact of what you hold onto despite of your imperfection will last for generations.
- The infirm going about healing others i.e. “the wounded healer” – wow! what a precious thing in the eyes of the Lord!
- Finally, remember … Yes, you will be completely healed; one day when you pass from this scene, and in the presence of your Father in heaven, you will leap like a young deer in a spring meadow, it’s just a matter of time.
