Why Am I Still Sick?
You’re sick. You believe in God and the healing power of Jesus Christ, but you just can’t seem to receive your healing. You go to church, you pray, others pray for you, so why aren’t you healed? That’s a question multitudes of Christians ask repeatedly, so you’re in good company.
To help you better understand the answer to that question, I want to teach you something today from the Word of God regarding the way Jesus Himself ministered healing to sick people. My prayer is that this mini bible study will teach you something new that you can act on to speed up your healing process.
The Healing Ministry of Jesus
As we study the four gospels, there are primarily two different Greek words to describe the healing ministry of Jesus. As you know, the original bible manuscripts were written in Hebrew (Old Testament) and Greek (New Testament). Oftentimes, it helps to study the bible in those original languages in order to gain clarity on certain bible topics.
Therefore, let’s take a look at the two Greek words that describe the way Jesus ministered healing.
iaomai (Greek) means: to cure; to be doctored; a healing power that progressively reverses a condition; a progressive restorative healing power.
This was actually the Greek word for a doctor. This was not an instant, miraculous healing, but rather a progressive healing. Sometimes when Jesus touched people, healing virtue was released into their bodies that began a healing process that was completed over time. An example in the bible would be the account of the healing of the ten lepers in Luke 17:11-19. Read those scripture verses, paying close attention to verse 14:
So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed.
Notice this healing was not instantaneous but took place over time. The words “as they went” tell us the healing did not happen immediately. We don’t know exactly how much time expired from the moment Jesus released healing virtue until their bodies became whole, but we do know there was a time lapse of some kind. The manifestation of healing did not occur until after the lepers left Jesus and were en route to see the priests.
This type of healing can be likened to the kind of healing you and I receive when going to the doctor. After meeting with the physician, he or she likely recommends a course of action to us. It could be medication, surgery, bed rest, etc. Then, only after we complete the recommended approach to wellness do we experience the healing. Rarely does anyone visit the doctor and walk away fully healed. The cure happens over a period of time, as we are obedient to the directives of the medical community. Thats the same type of healing we’re talking about with iaomai.
As we’re praying about a sickness or disease, sometimes we receive a directive from the Holy Spirit to do something, or cease doing something, in order to be healed. The route to healing for the ten lepers was to go see the priests — the avenue to our healing may be a command to stop smoking, avoid alcohol, limit fatty foods, control caffeine intake, lose weight, or implement an exercise regimen. The avenue to my healing may be different than yours, but as we’re faithful to obey the voice of the Lord, over time our healing will manifest. This type of healing from God is no less bona fide (or real) than an instant healing or miracle, just a little less dramatic.
The second word used in the bible to describe the way Jesus administered healing to people is the Greek word therapeuo. This is the word used 95% of the time to describe the healing touch of Jesus.
therapeuo (Greek) means: therapy; a healing touch that requires corresponding actions.
This type of healing requires us to cooperate with Jesus. It mandates that we cooperate with the healing power that is being released. Therapeuo is you and Jesus working together. And when you do, it will result in a miraculous healing touch! Yes, Jesus releases healing power, but most times it requires the recipient to do something. Let’s look at a couple bible examples of this type of healing. Read the account of the man healed at the Pool of Bethesda in John 5:1-15, focusing your attention on verse 8:
Jesus said to him, “Rise, take up your bed and walk.”
Jesus told the paralyzed man to “rise” (get up)! This required great faith as the man was in that sorry condition for 38 years. It required the man to participate in the healing. And when he did, as soon as he got up, the very next scripture says immediately he was made well.
Another biblical example would be the healing of the man in the synagogue with the withered hand, in Luke 6:6-10. Focus on verse 10:
And looking around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other.
The majority of the time Jesus healed, it required a corresponding action. Therapeuo is the healing power of God combined with physical actions. It’s you and God working together.
Perhaps you’re a person God uses to minister to the sick. This is why then, as you are praying for someone’s healing, it’s so important to tell them to do something. (I’m not referring to anything radical or harmful to the sick person. Use proper judgement and above all else, listen to the Holy Spirit.) By asking the sick person to cooperate, it gives them an opportunity to put their faith in action. Faith plus action is God’s dynamic duo! So often we simply pray for a person’s healing, and then allow them to walk away. We do not allow the sick person to participate, and yet, this was Jesus’ preferred method to heal people — 95% of the time!
How to Expedite Your Healing
In conclusion of this study, have you noticed the common ground between iaomai and therapeuo, the two primary ways Jesus healed people? Both of them engaged the sick person. In the first method, Jesus released healing virtue, issued a directive, and “as they went” they were healed. It was not an immediate or instant healing, but it did occur progressively. In the second method, Jesus asked the sick person to cooperate with a given command. As the person responded in faith, healing virtue was released and the person was instantaneously healed. This was the method used 95% of the time in the healing ministry of Jesus.
Here’s my recommendation to expedite your healing: present your sickness before the Lord in prayer, then listen closely for any instructions or directives He may give. Ask Him if there’s something you need to do (or cease doing) in order to be healed. Jesus emphatically wants you well. But He also wants you involved in the healing process. Ask Him what your role is. Then let Him know you are ready to put your faith into action… you will be absolutely awed by the incredible results!
QUESTION: Do you need someone to agree with you in prayer for healing? I would be honored to join my faith with yours for a breakthrough healing. Simply send a request via the comment box below, or through the “contact us” page.
Lindsey
Hi, I am intrigued by the idea of progressive healing. I would also like to know where you found the definitions you shared for “iaomai” and “therapeo” please and thank you!
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Lindsey, thanks so much for visiting Sozo4all and taking the time to respond. My mentor, when it comes to the Greek language, is Pastor Rick Renner. He carries an amazing teaching anointing and has been trained in classical Greek at the university level. He has an incredible gifting to take the deep things of scripture and break them down, word for word, according to the original Greek manuscripts. For a better understanding of the Greek words “iaomai” and “therapeo” I’m including a link to one of Pastor Rick’s video teachings on healing: https://renner.org/renner-tv/rick-renner-pt-1-the-healing-ministry-of-jesus/ My knowledge of the [Greek] scriptures has dramatically increased during the past 20 years that I have been sitting under his teachings. I’m trusting you will be blessed as well by his 5-fold ministry gift of Teacher. God bless you Lindsey!
Peggy Rich
I battle 3 illnesses, all involving chronic pain: peripheral neuropathy, 2 types of Arthritis (one is Rheumatoid), diabetes. I believe with all my heart in God’s desire to heal ALL, my mom was healed of brain tumor, dad of kdney disease. Me of black spots in my uterus. Yet these diseases linger in my body. Been prayed for many times. Please pray for me, I KNOW my healing is coming!
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hello Peggy, and thanks so much for visiting sozo4all. My heart is touched every time a man or woman of faith like yourself takes the time to share their conviction regarding the healing power of God! Do not lose heart my friend, do not grow weary in well doing, for in due season you SHALL reap (Galatians 6:9)! Sometimes those with the greatest faith are attacked the most. Satan is not warring against you alone, but against the multitude of souls attached to your destiny. I will begin praying against this demonic attack in your body. Keep praying, keep believing. I would admonish you to begin praying for the sick like never before. Oftentimes, we have to sow the very thing we are in need of. If we need finances, we sow a gift of money. If we need healing, it’s good to sow your faith into someone else’s life. For whatever we sow, we reap!
Your assignment Peggy: pray in English, pray often in the Holy Spirit (tongues – Romans 8:26-28), lay hands on the sick, anoint yourself with oil, take Holy Communion at home on a regular basis, prophesy over your body and command it to line up with the Word of God. Right now, I take authority over and rebuke every negative word spoken over you Peggy, especially by the physicians, I call them null and void, and I declare you WILL NOT reap that harvest. I bind every power assignment released against you, and declare as far as the curse is found, the power of God abounds! And I loose healing virtue into your body, head to toe. I loose the plans and purposes of Father God into your life. I declare you WILL fulfill your God-given destiny!
If you have any questions, simply ask. Blessings to you!
Lois Chiew
Thank you so much…
1. I am believing God for healing my left eye (retina detachment) and a heart condition.
2. Pray for a muslim boy named Nafis (16 yrs old) – brain hemorrhage.
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Lois, thank you for visiting Sozo4all and submitting prayer requests. Wondering how you and Nafis are doing? Beginning last week I have initiated a special time of fasting and prayer every week specifically for the requests that come in through the website. Many people are struggling and I felt a burden to add more fasting to my prayer time. “However, this kind does not go out except by prayer and fasting” (Matthew 17:21). I am believing for even greater results in 2020! May you be made whole – body, soul and spirit!
Eden Green
Hello! I would like to know which concordance you used to get those definitions of the Greek words? Or where you came to understand their meaning? My concordance has complete different meanings for those words.
Thanks!
~Eden
Eden Green
Also this is a good part of that passage of the lepers!
14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed.
15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God,
16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks: and he was a Samaritan.
17 And Jesus answering said, Were there not ten cleansed? but where are the nine?
18 There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger.
19 And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole.
Seemed like it happened that day, I think; cause he turned back and all to catch Jesus and thank him for instant healin, right?
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Eden,
The account of the Ten Lepers is such a great example of the mercy of God and the willingness and readiness of Jesus to heal.
Scripture says, Jesus encountered ten lepers “who stood afar off” crying out for mercy. Jesus responds by giving them a directive: He sends them to the priests, who will determine according to the law of Moses, (specifically Leviticus 14), whether they have been healed of leprosy. The lepers demonstrate their faith by following Jesus’ instruction even though they still have their disease. Only “as they went” on their way, do we find out that “they were made well.”
Jesus responds to their cries for mercy by drawing from them an act of faith that results in their physical healing. Scripture is not clear how much time elapsed on their journey to see the priests. But at some point the Samaritan “saw that he was healed” and “returned” to give thanks to Jesus. Twice in this account, the Apostle Luke used the word “returned.” Had the healing been instantaneous, it’s likely Luke (who had a knack for details) would have used the words instantly or immediately, like so many other accounts of Jesus’ healings. Additionally, there would have been little reason for the Samaritan to “return.”
Perhaps the healing happened within the hour, within several hours, or later that same day. Luke didn’t mention how much time elapsed, only that the healing occurred at some point in their journey. Oftentimes, as I’m ministering healing to people at the altar, I witness this same scenario. The recipient may not receive an “instant” healing, but later in the service or even sometime after they arrive home (hours later) the healing is manifested. Praise God! Whether we are healed instantly or “as we go on our way” it’s a fabulous testimony that God will use to share with others.
Really appreciate you stopping by, Eden. I pray blessings upon you… the blessings of God that maketh rich and adds no sorrow!
Rev Glenda Motsavage
Hi Eden,
When I study the Word of God in the Greek language, I have found no better mentor than Pastor Rick Renner. He carries a strong teaching anointing and has been trained in classical Greek at the university level. He has an incredible gifting to take the deep things of scripture and break them down (word for word) according to the original Greek manuscripts, in a way that is easily understood. Exactly what the five-fold ministry gift of “Teacher” is called to do!
I’m including a link to one of his in-depth video teachings on healing: https://renner.org/renner-tv/rick-renner-pt-1-the-healing-ministry-of-jesus/
It’s a five-part series that I highly recommend for anyone desiring to go deeper with their studies regarding the ministry of healing. If you have some spare time, take a listen. I’m trusting you will be blessed by the anointing!