The goal of the healing

His goal in the healing was to heal, and nothing else. I do not play the piano to prove that I have fingers, although that's true, but because I like music. The goal of the music is the music. The goal of goodness is the goodness. The consequences are side-effects, very secondary to its fundamental reason.

Jesus never exploited human suffering for his own glory. On this subject, what could He withdraw from His works of mercy ? He did not need to come for his own benefit. Why did he come to Bethesda, among the dregs of humanity that was rejected like wrecks on a forgotten shore ? Why go to Nain to meet a dead man, or somewhere else ? Why come to earth ? He had nothing to gain for himself.

The truth, we find it in its fateful attraction for the lost. This led to a cruel death, but it did not matter to him. He wanted to bring the seal of his healing to broken lives whatever the price. We read that for Jesus the multitudes were like sheep without a shepherd and that he had compassion and healing the infirm who were there (Matthew 14:14).

So he called his disciples and sent them to do a similar work. His work became their work, showing his compassion. This was transmitted by the disciples. But did they realize it ? And when is he of us ? The disciples came back excited and amazed because they had discovered that they had authority, and that the demons were subject to them. They did not mention those who had been delivered, and never reported any satisfaction because beloved men and women were now free.

If we are disappointed when the afflicted remain in their state, so is Jesus. In fact, we would not feel that way if it were not the same for Jesus, because that's how he created us. He heals to mitigate the consequences of sin, also forgiving sin, for the same reason that he saves. It can not be satisfied otherwise. To be deeply satisfied for the Lord is to love, to take care, to save and to heal. He gets nothing more from it.

Jeremy Sourdril