“And it came to pass on a certain day, as he was teaching, that there were Pharisees and doctors of the law sitting by, which were come out of every town of Galilee, and Judea, and Jerusalem: and the power of the Lord was present to heal them” (Luke 5:17).
The power of the Lord was present to heal the Pharisees and doctors of the law, but not one of them was healed. The Bible says Jesus was teaching, but how many present were actually hearing?
Someone may say, “Well, all of them must have been hearing; they were sitting right there in the room with Jesus.”
Not necessarily so! Did you know you can be listening without hearing? I know that from experience. I’ve been in numerous conversations with my wife, Janet, where she suddenly stopped talking and said, “Mark, you haven’t heard a word I’ve said!”
“I’ve been listening!” I always protest. But then I think, Have I really been listening? Although I can remember what Janet said five minutes earlier, my mind has been on something else. I’ve been listening; I know she’s been talking. But I haven’t heard what she’s said.
Also, as a child growing up in church, I’d sit at the end of the family pew. Sometimes I’d prop one elbow on that arm rest and go to sleep during the sermon. Other times I’d stay awake. But awake or asleep, I didn’t hear one thing that was said in the services from ages six to sixteen! Yes, it is possible to listen to people and still not hear a thing.
The Bible never said a word about the scribes, Pharisees and doctors of the law hearing. In fact, those religious leaders weren’t hearing Him so faith could grow in their hearts; they were listening to find something to accuse Jesus with. Yet, despite the fact that this group was there for the wrong reason, God still sent His power to heal them.
All they had to do was receive it by faith.
I don’t just listen; I hear the Word of God concerning healing.
Then faith rises up in my heart to receive my healing, and I am healed!
Excerpt permission granted by Harrison House Publishers
For over 40 years, Pastors Mark and Janet Brazee have traveled throughout the world sharing the Word of God and the Spirit of God. Together they've shared the powerful truths of faith and healing in more than 50 nations.
Today Mark and Janet pastor World Outreach Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where they base their ongoing outreach to the world. The Brazees still travel as the Lord leads, and they are raising up a congregation who share their passion to reach Tulsa and the world.