In the few short years that Jesus held his public ministry, many people received the healing they so desperately desired. God moved in the situations of so many people during this time and many of these situations were very similar. If not the exact same. However, as you read the accounts of those Jesus healed you see that while many suffered from the same ailment, Jesus often resolved them in different ways. Some people were healed in His presence, others afar off, some with touch, others without, some instantly, and others as they walked away. The Lord dealt differently with each person’s individual situation. Even if it was identical to that of someone who had already been healed.
Probably the greatest example we have of this are the accounts of all those who came to Jesus with blind eyes. All left in the same condition having been gifted their sight. But most received different treatment.
Matthew 9:27–30 (ESV)
27 And as Jesus passed on from there, two blind men followed him, crying aloud, “Have mercy on us, Son of David.” 28 When he entered the house, the blind men came to him, and Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to him, “Yes, Lord.” 29 Then he touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith be it done to you.” 30 And their eyes were opened. And Jesus sternly warned them, “See that no one knows about it.”
Another man’s eyes were opened when Jesus spit in his eyes and then proceeded to lay hands on him. In fact, it was in this case that we see the man receive some sight before receiving his perfect vision. Something that does not take place in any other account.
Mark 8:22–25 (ESV)
22 And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to him a blind man and begged him to touch him. 23 And he took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when he had spit on his eyes and laid his hands on him, he asked him, “Do you see anything?” 24 And he looked up and said, “I see people, but they look like trees, walking.” 25 Then Jesus laid his hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly.
One man the Bible tells us was healed instantly at Jesus’s word. There was nothing special in this instance. No touch, mud, or anything else. The Lord simply spoke into this man’s situation.
Mark 10:51–52 (ESV)
51 And Jesus said to him, “What do you want me to do for you?” And the blind man said to him, “Rabbi, let me recover my sight.” 52 And Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight and followed him on the way.
Then we finally come to the case of one man who suffered in the very same way the others did but received a radically different treatment. Jesus first made some mud and rubbed it on the blind man’s eyes. Then told him to go and wash in the pool of Siloam to receive his sight. Not a simple task for a man lacking the ability to see to do. He started in the same situation as the others and received the same resolution but much more was required of this one man than any other blind person who received their sight from Jesus.
John 9:6–7 (ESV)
6 Having said these things, he spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then he anointed the man’s eyes with the mud 7 and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing.
There is a reason for God including these similar situations with different ways of being resolved in our Bible. Something is meant to be learned from them. So often we see others going through situations very similar to our own but it seems God is dealing with them differently. Those who pray the very same prayers we do yet receive their answer sooner. Or even have to put in less work then we do and get the same resolution. It’s often hard for us to understand this or even accept that God would work in that way. But that is just what He does. God deals differently with each person’s situation even when they are seemingly identical.
We must understand that God knows our situation even better then we do ourselves. He is able to clearly see how each action will affect the next. So He takes care to give us just the right resolution we need to any problems we bring Him. While the answer we receive may take longer, require more from us, or not seem fair compared to others, it is always for our good. We must remember that God is working all things for the good of those who believe and that is going to look different for each person.
Romans 8:28 (ESV)
28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
The situation of some will be resolved instantly. While the same situation in the life of another will require a little more to reach the same resolution. Don’t look at others and wonder why their prayers seem to answered sooner or easier than your own. Know that God is working to perfectly match your need. You are going to receive the answer you have been seeking at just the right time so don’t give up. Trust in the Lord and He will carry you through every time.
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