"This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: 'He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.'"So we clearly know why He healed (to fulfill prophecy), but were there certain conditions present that made healing possible? The man with leprosy (8:1-4) recognized the lordship of Jesus. He came and knelt before Him. The centurion (8:5-13) recognized the authority of Jesus. He believed Jesus could just say the word and his servant would be healed. But other times it seems Jesus healed people without even being asked!
What about faith? Clearly it factors in. Listen to the words of Jesus Himself:
[To those following Him and then to the centurion in 8:10b; 13] "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith." and "Go! It will be done as you believed it would."
[To the friends of the paralytic in 9:2b] "When Jesus saw their faith He said to the paralytic 'Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven.'"
[To the woman subject to bleeding for twelve years in 9:22] "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you."
[To the two blind and mute men in 9:28-29] "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" [Then after they said yes] "According to your faith it will be done to you."But then - sandwiched between all these accounts of faith - is the account of the disciples caught up in a storm that came on so suddenly and was so severe that the waves swept over their boat. (8:23-27) When the disciples cried out "LORD, save us! We're going to drown!" Jesus responds by saying "You of little faith, why are you so afraid?" Is this to show us the opposite of faith?
Next time I am in the middle of a storm, or in need of healing, will I believe that, although Jesus appears to be sleeping, if I recognize His lordship and authority over everything, and choose to believe, He will heal me?
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