Healing is a tough topic (Whether Christians will admit it or not). When you are in a Church service, it is easy to say 'Yes' and 'Amen' when a preacher says 'God is our Healer', but when the service has ended, and Christians must face sickness in their own lives, it can be rare to see healing.

This is contributing to a generation of Christians who put more faith in doctors and hospitals than God. People will pay thousands of dollars just to have 15 minutes with a specialist, instead of spending 15 minutes with the Father. People will call you crazy if you say you are refusing man's treatment and instead choosing God.

In fact, there are two distinct camps in Christianity when it comes to healing:

  1. People believe God can heal them, but are not sure if he will heal them. We will call this the Maybe Camp.
  2. People believe God must heal them because of what He says in the Word. We will call this the Faith Camp.

So in this teaching, we will aim to shed light on how to receive healing as a Christian. After having researched this topic for a sermon that I presented in a small group, I came across an interesting conclusion, which I believe will open some people's eyes and ultimately lead to consistent healing when you and those under you need it.

Let's dive in!

Preface:

In this subject, I have limited the sample size to the Gospels. We will look at all of the healing Jesus performed, just to keep the teaching to a reasonable size.

In addition, what I consider 'healings' does not include those whom Jesus resurrected.

Where Faith Comes From

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” (Romans 10:17)

This verse will form the foundation of this teaching. Note how it says hearing the Word of Christ, and not just a random word. Christ translates to the 'anointed one', and so we can conclude:

  • You can have theological knowledge, but unless it is Spirit-filled/anointed, it lacks power.
  • You can know doctrine, but unless the Word is alive in your spirit, the supernatural cannot manifest.
  • Spirit-filled teachings are required to activate faith. A good indicator of a non-spirit-filled teaching is if you can't even remember what was preached 2 hours later.

Healing so often follows preaching because when the Word hits hearts in faith, people reach out to Jesus. The same holds true today: to expect healing, the Word must live in you and produce faith, and that comes from hearing the anointed Word of God.

The Pattern of Jesus’ Healings

With our foundations established, let's see how Jesus healed.

In the Gospels, Jesus performs 19 distinct healings according to our defined criteria. These are not random miracles but are selected by the Spirit to teach us how healing works in the Kingdom.

If we compare the healings, we see two distinct patterns:

  • 6 healings were initiated by Jesus himself — He stepped in when people could not approach Him.
  • 13 healings were initiated by people — someone approached, cried out, or acted in faith.

But why is this? 6 people didn't have to do anything to receive healing from Jesus, whereas 13 people required a human response.

Let's dive into the 2 categories a bit more in the next chapter.

a red cross painted on a white paper
Photo by Ilya Chunin / Unsplash

Healings by Jesus

Below is a list of all the healings when Jesus initiated a healing (Note we will expand each one of these in more detail in the next chapters)

  • Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt 8:14–15)
  • The man with the withered hand (Mark 3:1–6)
  • The deaf man (Mark 7:31–37)
  • The lame man at Bethesda (John 5:2:15)
  • The blind man (John 9:1-7)
  • The man with swelling (Luke 14:1-6)

Here is the list of when people initiated their own healing:

  • The leper (Matt 8:1–3)
  • The centurion’s servant (Matt 8:5–13)
  • The nobleman’s son (John 4)
  • The paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2)
  • The two blind men (Matt 9)
  • Jairus and his daughter (Mark 5)
  • The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5)
  • The Canaanite woman (Matt 15):
  • The blind man in Bethsaida (Mark 8)
  • The epileptic boy (Mark 9)
  • The ten lepers (Luke 17)
  • Bartimaeus (Mark 10)
  • The bent woman (Luke 13)

So right off the bat, we can see significantly more healings performed when people approached Jesus, instead of Jesus approaching them. This split is around 70% / 30%.

If we start to investigate further into the 30% of teachings, we start to see a pattern as to why Jesus approached these people instead of the other way around:

  1. These people physically could not come to Jesus.
  2. Jesus was showing the Pharisees how to live correctly by the Law.

Let's go through each one and show these cases:

  • Peter’s mother-in-law (Matt 8:14–15): she was bedridden and unable to come to Him, so Jesus entered Peter’s home and healed her.
  • The man with the withered hand (Mark 3:1–6): in the synagogue, Jesus used the moment to confront religious legalism. This was done for teaching purposes, and I do not believe this man would have received healing otherwise, since he did not approach Jesus.
  • The deaf man (Mark 7:31–37): a man unable to hear the Word — Remember our foundation verse - “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” - This man could not have had faith for healing, so Jesus, in His mercy, came to him.
  • The lame man at Bethesda (John 5): after 38 years of waiting, the man could not help himself — Jesus intervened.
  • The blind man (John 9): Jesus made clay and instructed him to wash; again, this was done for teaching purposes, and I do not believe this man would have received healing otherwise, since he did not approach Jesus.
  • The man with swelling (Luke 14): He was healed on a Sabbath while also exposing the hypocrisy of religious leaders. This was done for teaching purposes, and I do not believe this man would have received healing otherwise, since he did not approach Jesus.

So in summary, Jesus acted because the person was incapacitated or to reveal spiritual truth to the Pharisees.

So if you are incapable of moving, deaf, or otherwise incapable of hearing God's Word, then you can expect God to come to you for healing. However, if you are fully able to hear God's Word, do not expect to be treated like someone who is deaf or incapacitated.

If we are honest, even being incapacitated is no longer a reason in today's age. You can watch an anointed sermon from your screen. Distance is no longer a factor.

Let's inspect the healings initiated by people, and show why this is the true way to receive healing:

Healings Initiated by People

This is the larger, and perhaps more significant, portion of Jesus’ healing ministry.

Note, before we continue, these healings will also show an interesting pattern, in some of these, a person other than the sick person came to ask Jesus to heal, and Jesus granted it. This indicates that you can have faith for those under your authority to be healed. (E.g., your child, your spouse, etc.)

  • The leper (Matt 8:1–3): The Leper is the first instance of 'faith' healing, but it also answers any questions the Maybe Camp might have, as it sets the story straight immediately.

A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.”

Jesus then tells Him that He is willing. Showing that God is always willing to heal you of your sickness. The Leper could have sat down & waited on God. Saying something like “Jesus will know I am sick, and He will just come to me”.

Do you think he would have received healing if he had acted this way? But this is how most of the church thinks today. The best place to be if you are sick is in Church, where you can hear the anointed Word of God and be prayed over.

This then sets the tone for the rest of the healings

  • The centurion’s servant (Matt 8:5–13): the centurion believed in Jesus, and because the centurion's servant was under the centurion's authority, Jesus granted the request. This verse specifically shows God's high regard for authority in His Kingdom.
  • The nobleman’s son (John 4): the father believed Jesus’ statement and departed before seeing proof.
  • The paralytic lowered through the roof (Mark 2): friends carried their friend through the roof, acting creatively in faith.

Good illustration of faith with works. Jesus repeats, “Your faith has made you whole”. If the Maybe Camp was correct, Jesus should say, “My faith or my sovereignty has healed you”. By saying “Your faith has made you whole”, this shifts the blame to the sick person. If he had no faith, he could not be healed.

  • The two blind men (Matt 9): they followed Jesus, cried out, and believed when He asked.

Interestingly, in this story, Jesus asks the blind men 'What do you guys want?'. Why would He do that? He knew what they wanted, but Jesus wanted them to ask Him for their needs.

Can you imagine if these two responded with “God, we are blind, but whatever you want, Lord”? I believe they would not have been healed. This is the kind of response people in the church give. They say things like "God, I think this is what I want, but if it's not in your will, it's OK, I will be happy with anything."

What kind of faith is that? It matters what you want – Be specific towards God for what you are believing.

  • Jairus and his daughter (Mark 5): Jairus pressed in for healing.
  • The woman with the issue of blood (Mark 5): she believed that touching His garment would heal, and it did.

This story is powerful as it illustrates perfectly why God does not selectively choose when to heal, and the Faith Camp is correct.

Jesus said, “Who touched me"? If God chooses or does not choose who to heal, how did He not know who got healed?

This means ANYONE could have been healed by faith. Jesus had no idea. There was one condition, faith, and it cannot be quiet. (For she said, for she heard, for she got out of bed, etc…).

In addition to that point, the passage also tells us she spent all she had on going to doctors - How typical of people today. They will spend all the time and money on man's medicine, but will decline to go to church because they are 'too sick', and refuse to come and receive prayer. The best place to be if you are sick is in Church, because going there is also an act of faith!

The passage also references that she heard about Jesus (Faith comes through hearing), and she said, “If only I may touch His clothes”. She did not say, “If only he would notice me”. She acted out in faith beautifully and she was rewarded.

  • The Canaanite woman (Matt 15): She approached Jesus.
  • The blind man in Bethsaida (Mark 8): He approached Jesus.
  • The epileptic boy (Mark 9): the father said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”
  • The ten lepers (Luke 17): they called from afar and obeyed Jesus’ command to show themselves.
  • The bent woman (Luke 13): Though she did not specifically ask, Jesus healed her because her presence in the Word environment positioned her.
  • Bartimaeus (Mark 10): he shouted despite discouragement until Jesus responded.

Bartimaeus is a great story. He was shouting for Jesus, but the people around him told him to keep quiet. How many Christians are afraid of shouting for Jesus in fear of other people's opinions?

But Bartimaeus was hungry for Jesus, because he knew who He was. Jesus then noticed Bartimaeus and called him to the front, and was impressed.

Ask yourself - Would Bartimaeus have received healing if he had not shouted for Jesus? Or if he kept quiet when his friends told him to? I doubt it. God loves bold Christians!

From all of these cases, we see clear patterns:

  • Faith must initiate the encounter.
  • Action must accompany your faith — crying out, touching, coming, obeying.
  • Persistence is rewarded.
  • Jesus consistently said, “Your faith has made you whole.”
  • Healing is not up to divine randomness (The Maybe Camp)

How to Receive Healing & Summary

Here are five biblical steps you can take if you are believing for Healing

  1. Get the Word of God into you
    • Faith comes from hearing God’s Anointed Word (Romans 10).
    • Man shall not live on bread alone… (Mat 4:4) God’s Word is medicine.
    • Read and pray healing scriptures over you:
      • Proverbs 4:20-22
      • Deuteronomy 34:7 (Healthy like Moses)
      • Isaiah 32:3 / 24
  1. Take Action (Faith without works is dead)
  • Don’t remain passive.
  • Attend church, ask for prayer, lay hands, and approach God.
    • Expect God to heal you. Focus on Him during prayer
    • Faith without works is dead (James 2:17).
  • Be loud & desperate for Jesus, like Bartimaeus.
  1. Exercise your Faith in God
  • Don’t stop taking worldly medicine if you are on it, but going forward:
    • Start using God as your first point of contact & believe to be fully healed.
  • Don’t believe ‘He might heal me, or he might not’, God is always willing; the responsibility lies with you to connect to Him.
    • God only came to those who were incapable of coming to Him (Deaf/Bedridden), don’t expect to be treated like a deaf person!
  • Walk with Him – Serve at Church, Pay your Tithes.
  1. Speak Life Over Yourself
  • All secular advice of manifestation / speaking positively is lifted directly from the Bible. God took your sickness on the Cross (1 Peter 2:24), so to walk in it, you must speak that over your life in praise.
  1. Walk in Love
  • To fulfill the Law, so God can bring the blessings of Deuteronomy 28 into your life.

What If You’re Not Healed?

There are Bible passages that seem to suggest God doesn’t always heal. But let's investigate these further:

  • Paul’s thorn in the flesh (2 Cor 12:7–10):
    • God used this to stop Paul from becoming conceited (Rather to give glory to God)
    • I believe this is a special case, because Paul was so critical to the mission.
    • God can mold you through sickness, but it will always be for a purpose, and healing should still be expected through faith once the purpose is known. (Notice how God told Paul why he would not be healed!). God was not silent with Paul and was completely transparent.
    • If you are not told by God, like Paul was, WHY you are not being healed, you should believe for healing.
  • Job’s suffering: Job was afflicted by Satan. This should be expected as you go from glory to glory in Christ. This was also just for a season, and God restored him in the end.

Based on other research I have done, it also indicates that God does not tend to heal people of older age, who have lived long lives. I will not pretend to know why.

So, unless God has distinctly spoken to you with purpose and timing, you should not assume your sickness is a divine “no.” Rather, pursue healing as your right in Christ.

Conclusion

Healing does not need to be a mystery. Churches will preach that healing is easy from the pulpit, but the reality is different, and Christians are left bitter from God not healing theirs or their loved ones' ailments. Many Christians end up believing that God can heal them, but are not sure if He will heal them.

From the Gospels, we see a clear and consistent pattern — healing flows wherever faith is alive and active. Jesus never turned away those who came to Him in faith, and He never once said, “It is not My will to heal you.” The same Jesus who walked the shores of Galilee lives in us today through His Spirit. His will has not changed; our approach must.

We have seen that out of all the healings in the Gospels, the vast majority were initiated by people who came to Jesus, cried out, touched, believed, and acted. Their faith drew the power of God into their situations.

When Jesus healed without being asked, it was because the person was unable to respond — deaf, paralyzed, or used as a lesson for others. But for those who could respond, faith was always the key. Today, with access to the Word everywhere — in churches, online, and in our homes — no believer can say they are too far from God to receive healing. Faith still comes by hearing, and hearing by the anointed Word of Christ.

So, if you are believing for healing, do not wait passively for God to act. Get the Word into your spirit until it becomes more real than your symptoms. Speak life over your body. Take action in faith. Cry out to Jesus without shame or hesitation, like Bartimaeus. Refuse to let doubt, fear, or the opinions of others silence your healing.

The same power that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. Healing is not only possible — it is part of the new covenant. Let Jesus say of you:

“Your faith has made you whole.”