The Mystery of Unanswered Prayers
Miracles Always Happen Sometimes — Part 6
Go behind the scenes of the first 24-hour day in the public ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. The day began with his entrance into the fishing village of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee; it ended when he left the region 24 hours later. After that, nothing was ever the same.
This online multi-part series, like the TV series “24”, is the story behind the story of the day when everything changed.
…and the fever left her. — MARK 1:31
Why Her and Not Me?
At Peter’s home, his mother-in-law was sick with a fever. When Jesus heals the woman, her health changes effortlessly. The fever left her! As we continue making our way through the first full day, we will learn about other miracles like this. One word or touch from Jesus, and people are freed from their suffering.
What are we to make of this? In a way, it seems easy for Jesus to perform the miracle of healing. This healing takes place in a private setting, someone’s home. There are no crowds or detractors to be found; no Pharisees clutching their robes or scarves, feigning their outrage and offense. And healing a simple fever sounds like an entry-level miracle for the Son of God!
While all this is true, it raises a complex question for many of us today. Many of us have asked the Lord for intervention in our life, our needs, or the needs of a loved one, only to be disappointed. Sometimes, all the elements seem to be present for Jesus to perform a miracle, but he doesn’t. We have faith. We have prayed for the Lord’s presence. We are certain he hears our prayer. And yet, nothing seems to happen when we pray and ask for what is needed.
Who has not experienced this? How are we to understand unanswered prayer?
As a pastor of over 40 years, I have been in these situations many times. I have been at hospital bedsides, hovering over someone’s family member, praying for miraculous healing, believing by faith it would come, and inviting the presence of the Lord and the power of the Holy Spirit. And nothing happens. Again, we ask, “Why?”
This can create a crisis of faith for many of us. The worn-out answers-“God’s will must always be done,” “God must have a plan,” etc. will not do. They do not address the realities we face in our hours of desperate prayer.
So, what is the answer? Where is he when we pray for healing, but the illness or disease remains?
Healing and Curing
I can propose an answer, but it requires us to think critically about who Jesus is and what he offers us.
Let’s consider the story of Jesus’ healing of a paralyzed man. While Jesus was teaching a large crowd at Peter’s house, four friends of a paralyzed man climb up on Peter’s thatched roof, tear an opening with their bare hands, and slowly lower their bedridden friend right in front of Jesus! They were that determined to find healing for their friend.
What will Jesus do? The Pharisees are looking on in anticipation. They will weigh the words of Jesus in an effort to collect evidence against him. The people strain to see and hear how Jesus will respond to this man.
Jesus simply says, “Son, your sins are forgiven.” What?!?
This was NOT the preferred outcome for the man or his friends. They expected a miraculous healing! They had worked so hard to make this happen and all they received was disappointment. Everyone who was watching in anticipation was let down as well. Not only that, but the Pharisees received their evidence of blasphemy to use against Jesus.
Then notice what happens next. The man was not only healed by the word of the Lord but he was also cured of his paralysis. Jesus said, “So that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins…” and Jesus turned to the paralyzed man and said, “Get up! Take your bed and walk!” The man walked out freed from sin for the rest of eternity and free from suffering for the rest of his life.
Do you see it? Healing first, then curing. This is the way of the Lord. He came first to heal our relationship with our Father in heaven. That is the most significant thing. And then, as proof that he could do that, he did the cure. The man picked up his bed and walked out of the house.
There is a difference between healing and curing; Jesus came to accomplish the former and proved it by doing the latter. We can confidently say that they have been healed if a loved one has faith in the Lord Jesus. To believe is to receive healing. A cure might come, or it might not. But spiritual healing — healing for all of eternity — will always come to those who invite Jesus to enter their life.
One last point to make about healing and curing. Miracle cures are only temporary. Consider that Lazarus, though made alive again, would have to die again. Only healing is eternal; it lasts forever.
Sometimes Jesus performs real restorative miracles. I have seen them. Perhaps you have as well. Too many people believe that these miraculous events are just coincidences. The truth is, I have witnessed enough miraculous healings to make me keep praying for them. But not enough to believe that they will happen every time. However, healing will happen every time.
Future posts from The First 24 will resume in a few months. Thank you for reading. Stay here for posts during the Season of Lent.
The current post is adapted from the author’s new book, The First 24, a 24-chapter investigation into the first 24 hours of Jesus’ public ministry told in 24 verses in the Gospel of Mark (1:21–45) The book is available on Amazon. Visit the Author’s Amazon Page for more information here.
