In the healing of the paralytic, Jesus demonstrated His fatherly compassion by addressing the man as a child, offering comfort for his debilitating condition, described medically as paralysis from a nervous system disease. This miracle showcased Jesus forgiving the penalty incurred through sin, raising the man from his miserable state, addressing the spiritual cause before the physical effect. The burden of spiritual corruption outweighed the physical ailment, for physical healing holds little value without a sound mind. God, through Christ, is the source of this healing blessing, with His Son as the instrument. Only He can provide immediate spiritual and physical healing, a power unmatched by local religious leaders or physicians who could not heal the paralytic. Christ alone, as God's Son and man's Savior, holds the authority to forgive sin and bring spiritual healing. The miracle left the witnesses stunned, moved to glorify God, filled with fear, and confounded. They were amazed at the astounding healing, each gospel account capturing a unique expression of awe. Despite the great impact, most observers were not moved to faith or conversion, remaining unchanged in heart despite their reactions. Some declared they had never seen anything like it, while others noted the strange, paradoxical nature of the event, beyond common understanding. This miracle reveals the incomprehensible sovereignty and glory of God in comforting and healing the sick through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior.

God has given us life, and we are responsible to Him to care for our bodies, which for Christians are temples of God's Spirit. Despite the inevitable deterioration of our bodies over time, we must continually dress and keep ourselves. When sickness occurs, we face the responsibility of addressing it, even with God's promise to heal, which includes both physical and spiritual restoration. This promise does not relieve us of the duty to take action to remove the causes of sickness and to improve our condition, just as we must work to overcome spiritual ills. We are to do whatever we can to heal ourselves, trusting in God while engaging in both spiritual and physical efforts. Healing, though promised by God, is akin to other life challenges; His involvement does not absolve us of the work required to repair our diseased state. God sometimes uses healings as signs to indicate where He is working, showing His strength through merciful acts that also serve as encouragement. Not everyone will be healed instantly, but all who trust Him will be healed in His time and manner, as He is Sovereign and cannot be forced. Trusting God does not exclude seeking human wisdom and skills for healing. Biblical examples, such as the use of balm in Gilead and other medicinal substances, demonstrate that employing physical remedies is not inherently wrong. Figures like Jacob and Jeremiah acknowledged the use of medications for physical ailments, paralleling the need for spiritual remedies like repentance. Jesus Himself affirmed that the sick need a physician, indicating that seeking medical help is not a violation of faith but can coexist with trusting God. However, God must not be left out of any aspect of life, including healing. Seeking counsel from physicians or other healers is acceptable, but their knowledge is limited compared to God's, and their solutions may not address spiritual causes. We must prioritize seeking God's merciful intervention, guidance, and providence, while also working on solutions through wise counsel and repentance, both spiritual and physical, to avoid adding to the problem. Good health and healing are directly linked to obedience, which requires work. Sin often underlies sickness, and when it occurs, we must deal with it through faith and patience, actively engaging in self-examination, seeking counsel, and heartfelt repentance. Faith in healing is not passive but involves proactive trust in God. Faith and works in the context of healing are not mutually exclusive; taking steps to promote restoration through repentance and change is not only sensible but required by God as part of our responsibility to dress and keep ourselves, aligning with His purpose of creating problem-solvers in His image.

Few things are more personal and vital to people than their health. Divine healing, though often viewed with skepticism and considered superstition by many, holds a significant place in the life of faith. Most would rather praise medical, technical, and scientific advances than trust in the power of God to heal, as healing requires faith, a quality lacking in the current culture. Any reader of the gospels cannot help but be struck by the numerous accounts of healings Jesus performed during His ministry. He freely healed lepers, the blind, the lame, women with female problems, children with deathly fevers, and just about anyone who asked. He even raised a few individuals from the dead. Yet, He did not heal all these people Himself; His Father in heaven did these merciful works through Him. Divine healing operates similarly now. The missing dimension in healing is God. Too many, in pain and confusion, view divine healing simplistically and carnally. We know God desires to heal us and promises to do so. However, these promises are not unconditional; God is not bound to fulfill them automatically once claimed. As a loving Father, He would like to heal every time, but sometimes it is better that He does not. Three overriding factors—His sovereignty, His love, and His purpose—take precedence, and He considers these when contemplating petitions for healing. The bottom line is that He will do for the sick child of God what is ultimately best for him or her. Sometimes, He decides that physical death is best, as He did concerning His own Son. We can be thankful that God is not constrained by death; Jesus Christ put that enemy down. Faith must do its work here as well. We must believe that God's care of His children is absolutely loving and that His promise of eternal life is sure, that death is only temporary rest before a vibrant and abundant life in His Kingdom. As mature followers, we must come to understand healing more perfectly. We need to reach the conclusion that the Lord gives and takes away, and we must accept both good and adversity from God. Jesus Himself echoes this attitude, submitting to the Father's will over His own. Finally, God gives us hope, reminding us that though He causes grief, He will show compassion according to the multitude of His mercies.

The healing of a woman with a flow of blood stands as a remarkable event, occurring silently and without prior words as it interrupts another miracle, the raising of Jairus' daughter. This woman, afflicted for twelve years, had endured not only physical suffering but also the depletion of her resources in a futile search for a cure from physicians, which only worsened her condition. Her illness rendered her a hopeless case, yet her determination and faith drove her to seek relief by merely touching Jesus' clothing, risking severe consequences by breaking sacred rules of quarantine. Her faith, though rooted in a material conception of healing power flowing through Jesus' garments, was genuine. Despite its imperfection, Jesus did not scorn her limited belief but used His supernatural knowledge to identify with her, healing her by an act of His divine will. As soon as she touched the hem of His clothes, her flow of blood ceased, and she felt her body restored, elevating her to a higher, spiritual faith. Jesus, aware of her suffering and faith from the moment of contact, felt power leave Him and asked, "Who touched Me?" to bring the healing into the open and glorify God. He encouraged her to confess publicly, commending her faith and confirming the permanence of her healing. His tender words thrilled the crowd, revealing Him as the true Healer. He declared that her faith had made her whole, though faith itself holds no healing power but serves as a conduit for it. His command, "Go in peace," instructed her to be thankful for her physical restoration and to enter into the peace He imparts to all who trust in Him.

Shortly after Herbert Armstrong's death in 1986, under Joseph Tkach's leadership, subtle changes began to undermine faith in healing within the Worldwide Church of God. Before the Passover of 1987, it was preached that healing was not tied to Christ's sacrifice, suggesting that faith in healing was unnecessary and equating it with primitive religion. The leadership hinted that miraculous healings occur only when God needs to attract attention to the Gospel, despite historical evidence within the church showing otherwise. God heals, and He is a healer, as supported by Scripture. Exodus 15:26 reveals God declaring, "If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you which I have brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you." This establishes that healing is conditional upon living a godly life and maintaining a relationship with Him, showing that He desires to provide healing and a full life for His people. Psalm 103:1-5 lists God's benefits, with David proclaiming that He forgives all iniquities and heals all diseases, presenting them as parallel benefits. These benefits, including healing, are part of the package God offers to His people when they trust in Him and conform to His covenant. Isaiah 53:4-6 and I Peter 2:24 link Christ's bearing of sins with healing by His stripes, indicating that both spiritual and physical healing are made possible through His sacrificial death. This healing, both spiritual and physical, is effective through the power of God and the faith of the faithful who trust in Him. Matthew 9:20-22 and 27-29 demonstrate instances of healing through faith, as Jesus Christ affirms to a woman with a flow of blood and two blind men that their faith has made them well. These accounts show a correspondence between spiritual and physical healing, both requiring faith. Psalm 146 emphasizes trusting in God, who opens the eyes of the blind and raises those who are bowed down, as the source of healing. Faith must be placed in God Himself, not merely in the hope of healing, acknowledging that He can heal according to His will. Whatever His decision, we must trust that He has our best interests at heart. God alone heals, and our faith must be in Him, the Creator and Deliverer.

The leper who approached Jesus Christ was in a dire state due to his advanced disease, yet he found hope in seeking out the Healer. With sincerity, he implored Christ, overcoming the obstacles of the crowd and the shame of his condition to earnestly plead for help. His reverence was evident as he bowed before Him, honoring Christ with a humble approach. Demonstrating faithfulness, the leper expressed confidence in Christ's power, submitting to His will with trust, saying, "Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean." He showed truthfulness by openly confessing his uncleanness, asking to be cleansed rather than merely healed, acknowledging the gravity of his state. Finally, his wisdom shone through in choosing Christ, the only One who could truly cleanse him, as he had learned of His teachings and power. In response, Jesus, with kindness, declared, "I will," and instantly restored the man to full health, cleansing him of his leprosy.

Healing serves as a powerful illustration of faith, revealing both its strength and its weaknesses in our lives. Jesus Christ's healings demonstrate the profound trust that individuals placed in Him, not merely in promises or concepts, but in His personal authority and power. When faced with illness, do we trust God to heal us, or do we rely on our own strength, knowledge, or the expertise of others? Many trust in their own health, believing their strong bodies or healthy lifestyles will overcome any sickness, or they trust in their ability to find a cure through personal research and remedies. Yet, this self-reliance often deceives us, blinding us to our true need for divine intervention. Trusting in human solutions, such as the medical system or alternative methods, can become a form of misplaced faith. While these may offer benefits in moderation, they often fail to address the deeper spiritual need for healing, which is akin to forgiveness of sin. Relying on doctors or systems, no matter how advanced, can lead to idolatry when they are placed above God, turning them into false gods of a misguided trust. Historical examples show the futility of seeking healing from sources other than God, resulting in dire consequences when divine authority is ignored. True healing comes from trusting in God Himself, not just in His promises, but in a personal, intimate relationship with Him. We must call on Him, confess our sins, repent, and wait patiently for His action, even when it is difficult. The challenge lies in overcoming our doubts, fears, and attachments to the physical, placing our faith in the invisible God. Those who approached Jesus for healing trusted Him personally, believing in His power to make them whole with a word or a touch. As much as we trust Him, we will be healed; according to our faith in Him, it will be done. To increase our faith for healing, we must come to know God intimately through prayer, study, fasting, meditation, and living life with Him. We must prove His trustworthiness in our lives by allowing Him to work in us, starting with small acts of faith that grow over time. For healing, we must trust the Healer; for salvation, we must trust the Savior. This personal connection with Him is the foundation of true faith, enabling us to experience His power and presence in every aspect of our lives.