Editorial November 8, 1982 Issue

Healing: waiting until after the resurrection?

NATHAN A. TALBOT

What a privilege for those who traveled with Christ Jesus—watched his healings, heard his teachings, felt his Christliness. The disciples were given a unique and rich opportunity. No one since has been placed in quite the same position. And imagine observing firsthand the healing of a man who had never walked, another who had never seen, one who was insane, and still another who had died. Consider what it must have meant to sit with Jesus while he explained the eternal truths that authorized his healing power; and that would enable his listeners to follow his example.

And yet, with all this it's puzzling that the Gospels do not describe in detail a single specific case healed by the disciples. (Matthew, Mark, and Luke do discuss a case the disciples tried but failed to heal,^{See Matt. 17:14-21 .} and also make reference in a general way to their healing activity.^{See Matt. 10:1, 8; Mark 6:7, 13; 16:20; Luke 9:1, 2, 6; 10: 1, 17.})

Only after the crucifixion and resurrection did the disciples' healing work really begin to blossom. It took these events to persuade them of the power behind Jesus' healings and teachings. Mrs. Eddy explains in Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures: "Jesus' students, not sufficiently advanced fully to understand their Master's triumph, did not perform many wonderful works, until they saw him after his crucifixion and learned that he had not died. This convinced them of the truthfulness of all that he had taught."^{Science and Health, pp. 45-46.}