April 1-14

This week the story of the father bringing his ill son to Jesus to be healed has caused me the most reflection. The disciples could not heal him. Jesus responds with “O ​​​faithless​ and ​​​perverse​ generation”. Seems a bit harsh. And then proceeds to heal the boy.

I immediately start asking myself questions about the level of my faith. Naturally, like the disciples, my faith is not going to be the same as the Saviours. And I cannot expect it to be in any short time. But maybe step by step, miracle after miracle it could be.

The manual asks the following questions.

What did the Spirit teach you as you read about this miracle? How has Heavenly Father helped you increase your faith? What can you do to build upon the faith you already have?

Matt 17:14-21; Mark 9:14-29

As I ponder this story more I get caught up thinking that our lack of faith has resulted in a cultural teaching we often fall victim to. If it be God’s will this person will be healed. But I’m less convinced it is about Gods will.

We don’t read stories in the scriptures of Jesus blessing someone then they don’t get healed. Every person Jesus blesses is healed. Often people are healed in mass. Was it God’s will that they be healed? I suspect God would want all his children to be healed.

One might say that “the population of 2,000 years ago needed the healing miracles more than we do today. What would happen to our faith if everyone we blessed was healed?” I suppose their faith would also increase. That’s not a bad thing.

After pondering this story I’m now more convinced that if I bless someone, and they are not healed, it is more a reflection of my lack of faith. I do believe that over time and after repeatedly exercising faith it is possible to eventually gain the same faith.

So who’s faith is it that heals the sick and afflicted? The one giving the blessing (as I’m implying) or the recipient of the blessing, a third party, maybe one praying on another’s behalf, or a combination of all three? And if all three to what degree does each participants faith contribute to the effectivity of the blessing?

I don’t know. Maybe it is different in all circumstances. Maybe my faith as one giving the blessing is sufficient to override ones lack of, or lesser, faith as implied in the verse below suggestion that the Saviours faith is sufficient to fill the gap.

And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Matt 9:24

The saviour teaches that “if thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth.” Basically saying if your faith is strong enough, you can do anything, it makes no mention of God’s will.