based on the Gospel of John, 5: 1-18

I was talking to a friend about healing the other day. She asked if I believed in instant healing, if someone could in God’s name bring about immediate healing. The Bible clearly tells us that this happens, and there are examples in our own times. My friend believed this had happened to her son years ago, and her belief is strong.

This raises questions for all of us, because when we believe in Jesus’ healing power, we must expect healing to take place. If, then, we do not see the expected immediate healing, what are we to understand? That there is no immediate healing? That people who have experienced it must be lucky that it just happened at the right time? Or that the faith needed for such miracles must be exceptionally strong and good, so most of us will never experience this?

Today’s reading from John dispels all these answers. For a start, we can see that immediate healing did take place at this pool of invalids in Jerusalem by the Sheep Gate. Healing in the pool was an accepted thing, people expected it but hedged it round with conditions – when the water was troubled and whoever happened to be first in to the water at that time. That is not what Jesus did. The man by the pool who attracted Jesus’ attention did not reach the pool, but was healed on the spot. No rituals, no conditions, he was just immediately healed by Jesus without getting wet. And did the man show great faith? Did he cry out and recognise Jesus as some did to gain his healing attention? No. This man did not know who Jesus was, and only found out his name later. He showed no faith, except in the human traditions surrounding the pool. And what about all the others? We hear there was a crowd around the pool, all with problems wanting healing. But Jesus left immediately after healing just this one man.

So can we believe in instant healing? Of course we can. But will we ever understand it, why on particular occasions it happens and not to so many other deserving people whose faith is so strong? No. This is God’s mystery. His love and answers to prayer are not based on scientific premises to be calculated and predicted. We may be like the invalids crowding the pool if we expect instant answers to prayer. Jesus heals, not just the body but the mind and the soul. How he heals and when, we cannot know.