Seeking Jesus First - May 2, 2023

Yesterday, we saw an example of people whom Jesus could not heal because they had offense in their hearts towards Him and they did not believe that the little boy raised in their village was the messiah. What does the condition of my heart have to do with receiving what God wants me to have?…

Here is the portion of Scripture referring to the offense and unbelief of the people: “Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” So they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief. Then He went about the villages in a circuit, teaching.” (Mark 6:3–6, NKJV)

Jesus, The Christ, could do no mighty works there because of their offense and their unbelief. So, it was clearly the will of God for Jesus to go and heal them. Our Father willed it and Jesus willed it. But the hearts of the people were offended and full of unbelief and rejected the will of God. The will of God was for them to be saved, delivered and healed, but they could not receive because of their unbelief.

This is a common misconception in the church: “It was not God’s will for me to be healed.” Well, we can clearly see in this passage that it was God’s will, but they were unwilling to receive it. Then I have been told, “Well, what about my most pious and loving family member who got sick and died? Wasn’t that the will of God?”

Here is an Old Covenant Law statement from God: “and said, “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.”” (Exodus 15:26, NKJV)

Sickness and disease was a result of sin, or in Egypt’s case, the consequences of attacking, enslaving and treating the people of God wickedly. In the Old Covenant, sin was in the world and death reigned. The law, the covenant with God, gave Israel a respite from sickness and disease as long as they did Exodus 15:26.

Jesus changed everything. He made a new covenant. It is a better covenant with better promises. The law of sin and death no longer reigns. We live according to the law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus. Instead of keeping a law to receive the righteousness that allows us to receive healing, we receive it by faith in Christ Jesus and what He has said and done. We have received righteousness (right standing with God) through faith in Christ Jesus, and “With His stripes, we were healed.”

Now, think again about the fact that the people whom Jesus was trying to save, heal and deliver; but they did not receive because of the offense in their heart and because of unbelief. Consider these questions:

• Is it possible to stay sick because of unbelief or unforgiveness/offense?
• Is it possible to thwart/reject the will of God for your life?
• Is it possible to not believe something is God’s will when it really is His will?
• Will this unbelief keep you from receiving from God?

Remember that Jesus changed everything as it pertains to the way God deals with humans. Don’t read the Old Testament without the looking glass of the New Covenant. We have to look at everything through Christ Jesus with Holy Spirit as our teacher.

Now consider these statements by Jesus: “And He said to her, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.”” (Luke 8:48, NKJV), “And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”” (Luke 17:19, NKJV), and, “Then Jesus said to him, “Receive your sight; your faith has made you well.”” (Luke 18:42, NKJV)

Three witnesses from Christ Jesus Himself: Your faith has saved, delivered and healed you. (The Greek word for saved/healed/delivered is ‘sozo’ which is what is used in these passages.)

Of course it is the will of God for us to be healed. Of course it is God Who heals. Of course, God identifies Himself as The Healer - YHVH Rapha. But we receive it by believing it and by keeping our hearts free from offense.