The next ancient stone we will visit is found in the story of a man laying by the pool of Bethesda (John 5:1–6). Jesus is walking through an area that is filled with sick people. He stops by a man who was lame and asks a strange question: “Do you want to get well?” I call it strange because Jesus asked someone who was waiting patiently day in and day out, for the miraculous “stirring” of the waters, so he could just fall into the pool and gain the ability to walk out of it. The man’s answer speaks for itself: “Yes, I want to get well, but I can’t, I’m not fast enough. Of course I do, or I wouldn’t be here.” At the man’s response, Jesus instructs the man to get up, grab his bed, and go home. Then it happens.“At once the man was cured.” These are the stories we like the best. This is what we teach ourselves to expect when we hear the word “healed.” However, sometimes we miss the point in these stories.

Far too often we focus on a miraculous event and forget to praise the Source. This is the reminder from these ancient stones: There is no true healing outside of God, physical or otherwise. All healing comes directly from Him. I say this because I find that we often give man credit where credit is not due. Sure, mankind may accidentally stumble on a cure for symptoms, but it is only because God let us trip in front of His medical books. There is not a single dose of medical knowledge that hasn’t come from our Creator. Another reason I say this is because we can find physical healing from this collection of knowledge, but still remain un-well. Only when Jesus is entered into the equation will we find true healing. Only He can make us truly well. If we want healing we need Jesus. Plain and simple.

I believe there are different types of healing that can serve as reminders to praise the Source.

One type of healing we’ve just revisited. It is the one most want—the type most remembered—it is Immediate Healing. I put it first only because it is the more obvious and popular one. Jesus told the invalid to get up, and “at once” the man was healed. It is clear that Jesus healed him. Because of the nature of this type of healing it is easier to recognize it as being from God. Sometimes, in His great wisdom, God still frees someone immediately. Therefore, if God heals you immediately, remember to praise Him.

The next type of healing is Gradual Healing. We find an example of this in the healing of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11–14). Their healing came “as they went.” However, in this healing, only one of the lepers recognized that God had healed him (verse 15). Unfortunately, this is a strong warning that if we are not focused on the right thing, we too will fail to God the credit. Still, this story shows us that though God doesn’t always heal immediately, He did heal. Even if your healing is gradual, God should still be praised!

Another type of healing we find in the Bible I call 3rd-Party Healing. In other words, through a human source: Physicians, nurses, or some other person. God may heal us through medicines and other therapies even if we are hoping for a bigger bang. A great example of this is found in the story of Naaman (2 Kings 5:1–14). When Naaman did what was required, he was healed. Did the water heal him? No. Did Elisha heal him? No. God healed him—He just did it through a human source. So, in such cases, who deserves the praise? God does!

Then, there is Second Coming Healing. This one isn’t always viewed as a type of healing, because it is futuristic. But Paul explained that while we have mortal, perishable lives now, that will all change at the last trumpet (1 Corinthians 15:42–44, 51–54). Basically, you may be blind now, but you’ll see Jesus’ face; you may be deaf today, but you’ll hear Jesus calling your name; you may be physically impaired at this moment, but you will walk the streets of gold! Of course, just because we haven’t experienced this healing already (since Jesus hasn’t come yet), doesn’t mean we cannot start praising God for the healing we will receive! This is a type of healing—new bodies and new lives at Christ’s return! Definitely worth praising God about!

Now, the final type: Soul Healing. In Psalm 147:3 David says, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Sometimes, God needs to heal the soul. As a matter of fact, I believe that God uses this one more often than we think, if not every time. This is why there are so many promises in the Bible regarding the healing of souls. He can also heal emotional and spiritual pain and illnesses. Remember, Jesus comforted those who were sad, or depressed, or fearful. He still gives hope to those who think they are doomed and brings peace and joy to those suffering. So, if God has brings you emotional or spiritual healing, then praise Him!

These different types of healing remind us that Jesus still heals, and that He wants to make us well. Of course, we may never understand why God heals in different ways. Nor, are we given an explanation of why some people are healed physically and some are not. What we are shown is that there is One who heals, and only One Who heals—and in every healing, regardless of the type of healing, we need to praise Him!

This is the point of the memorial: it is the Healer that is important, not the healing. You don’t need to remember the types of healing, just the Source of healing. God tells us in Exodus 15:26, “I am the Lord who heals you.” Let us remember and praise our Healer!