Jesus came to show us the Father. He preached the gospel, cast out demons, raised the dead and healed the sick. He said, ‘I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you’ (John 13:15). I don’t think he was referring only to foot- washing. If that is the case, then when we heal the sick we should do what Jesus did, and NOT do what he didn’t!

What Jesus did NOT do

1) He never prayed to the Father to heal someone. Only in the case of Lazarus did he pray, and then only for the sake of those listening (see John 41-42). 2) He did not use angels. 3) He never set conditions, saying, ‘If you do this first, I’ll heal you.’ No! He just healed them. Only then (if it was needed) did he bring correction to the healed person (see John 5:14). 4) He never said any sickness, or person, or situation was too hard, or not the Father’s will. He healed all who came to him, or were brought to him. That must have included many tax-collectors and sinners, hypocrites and Pharisees, idolaters, unbelievers and doubters in general! So what did he do?

1) He laid hands on people.

When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them (Luke 4:40). This is the simplest method, and he used it in his own town when faith levels were low: He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith (Mark 6:5-6).

2) He commanded.

He spoke to the sickness, the demons, the ears, the eyes, the sick person, the ‘mountains’. He didn’t pray about them, but used his authority. We should do the same, and expect the same results. Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up your mat and walk." At once the man was cured; he picked up his mat and walked (John 5:8-9a).

3) He spoke a word.

He often simply declared the healing. The royal official said, "Sir, come down before my child dies." Jesus replied, "You may go. Your son will live." The man took Jesus at his word and departed (John 4:49-50), and we later read the fever left at exactly that moment.

4) He used faith triggers.

He spat, he made mud, he put his fingers in ears, he sent ten lepers to the priests, and told the man born blind to wash in the pool of Siloam. None of these had any magic healing power. They simply required a step of obedience that release faith. However, if the Lord asks you to do something unusual, do ask the sick person permission!

5) He used words of knowledge.

When the father brought his epileptic boy to the disciples, they couldn’t heal him. Jesus reprimanded both the crowd and the disciples for their lack of faith, then he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again" (Mark 9:25). Only the Holy Spirit could have shown him the root cause of the problem.

6) He persevered

In Bethsaida people brought a blind man to Jesus, begging him to touch him. Instead, Jesus led the man out of the village (see Mark 8:22-26). Then he spat on the blind eyes, put his hands on him, and then prayed for him twice before he could see. The whole process must have taken at least 30 minutes to an hour. We are often guilty of expecting instant results. Healing is a process.

7) He leaked!

... and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all (Luke 6:19). People laid the sick in the streets of Jerusalem so that Peter’s shadow might touch them. People have been healed just walking into our meetings, by the presence (and grace) of God! We are filled with the same Holy Spirit. It should come as a surprise that people are NOT healed wherever we go! So which one should we use? The one prompted by the Holy Spirit. And if you’ve heard nothing, try them in the order above until you get a result. You will need faith. But God wants all people well, and he wants you to minister his healing. Go for it!