As we know from Scripture, Jesus and Paul healed many people. They often touched the sick person when healing them. We, as believers, are also instructed to place out hands on the sick. Mark 16:17-18
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
These important instructions to lay hands on the sick, were the last words spoken by Jesus on this Earth, according to the Book of Mark. Therefore, they reveal His great love and compassion for the sick; and they also emphasize the importance of signs and wonders as His method of reaching the lost of the world with the Gospel.
These instructions were not just to those whom He would call into the five-fold ministry, but to all those who believe. I think at this point, it is only fair to say, Thank God for the many positive testimonies that we hear from around the entire world, after the ministry of laying on of hands.
Yet from time to time, we also hear the negative side of this ministry, where it seems that a negative report has also been forthcoming, as a result of some over zealous person, trying to prove the healing ministry of Jesus.
Now let me say this, that God will often use us, in spite of ourselves. However, I still believe we should try to maintain an excellence of ministry that will glorify our Lord Jesus Christ, as well as meeting the needs of the person or persons being ministered to.
Let me draw your attention to Mark’s final testimony of Jesus’ Great Commission, which should bring a little more understanding to this subject. So often all that is quoted, is the latter part of the verse 18. “They shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.”
It is important that we keep the entire statement of Jesus’ command in its true scriptural context; so we must go back to verse 15. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
Notice in true context, that preceding the laying on of hands, there is intended to be the ‘Preaching of the Gospel.’
Yet we see so many occasions, where people just rush to lay hands on others, and command them to be healed in Jesus’ Name! I am sure, according to verse 18, not too many of you are rushing out to ‘drink any deadly thing’, or to ‘take up serpents.’ Why it that? Because you realize that the Scripture’s intention is: if this were to occur by accident, a faith principle would come into operation, where you would trust God by faith, as Paul did on Malta.
After being shipwrecked, and gathering wood for the fire, a poisonous snake wrapped itself around his arm, and he just shook it off, into the fire.
Paul didn’t deliberately pick up the snake and allow it to bite him. It was accidental, so when it happened, he used his faith, based on Mark Chapter 16; having confidence in the Words of Jesus knowing that he would be divinely protected.
Therefore, I believe not everyone has the working of miracles, or the gifts of healing operating in their lives; as recorded in the Corinthians Chapter 12, verses 9-10; “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; to another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another diverse kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues;”
Let’s allow a little practical wisdom to operate here. Jesus implies, and rightly so, that we all can minister to the sick.
First of all, we are commanded to preach the Gospel, and according to verse 17 of Mark Chapter 16, the signs follow only those who believe.
To build a basis of belief, we must hear the truth, and when we understand the trust, the truth can set us free.
So the Gospel we preach here, is the revelation of DIVINE HEALING; according to Scripture and not just testimony, although that can certainly help and encourage.
Why is the revelation of Divine Healing as a scriptural basis so important?
Because Romans Chapter 10, verse 17 says:
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.”
You see faith cometh! There must be a scriptural basis to plant your faith on! So if people are to recover, speaking of a time element, faith is involved, and faith can only come by ‘hearing and hearing by the Word of God.’
Can you see it is not only the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor, or Teacher’s responsibility, but it is also every believer’s responsibility to impart inspired words of faith to a sick one requiring ministry.
So if you really wish to fulfill this portion of scripture, then you should memorise at least five relevant healing scriptures from the Word of God, to build a practical faith in any person you are ministering to.
Here are five suggested scriptures:
Exodus 15, verse 26:
“And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the LORD that healeth thee.”
Psalm 103, verses 2-3:
“Bless the LORD, O my soul: and forget not all his benefits: who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.”
Isaiah 53, verses 4-5:
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.”
Matthew 8, verses 16-17:
“When the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils; and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet Esaias, saying, He Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.”
1 Peter 2, verse 24:
“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; by whose stripes ye were healed.”
If you have already practiced ministering to the sick, and have had a certain amount of success, let me encourage you to speak the Word more, and you will see an even better success rate.
