I’ve never attended a faith healer’s service, but I suppose I should sometime. I tend toward skepticism when thinking of healing in such a splashy way. Prayer and the laying on of hands focuses on the Lord and his intervention. On the other hand, a ringmaster preacher feels off-kilter.

Some faith healers pray over a handkerchief, and claiming similar powers to Paul (see Acts 19), mail it out to the faithful for a sizable donation. That feels even worse than a show on stage.

Of course, Jesus set the mark for healers:

When the men of the region recognized Jesus, they sent around to all the region and brought to him all who were sick and implored Jesus that they might only touch the fringe of his garment. And as many as touched it were made well.

Jesus walked through town and anyone who touched his clothes recovered from whatever ailed them. Just the rub of a loose thread between thumb and forefinger brought immediate relief. A faith healer’s dream. Crowds of sick and hurting mobbed Jesus, recognizing the amazing power given over to this man.

All frauds play off a desire for the real thing, and in the case of healing, Jesus proved real. Best of all? No donation required.

Matthew 14 in reading the Bible in 2023

Photo by Michael Walter