Editorial December 30, 2002 Issue

Dimensions of healing

John Selover

The concept of distant healing is especially meaningful to those who are just beginning to explore the dimensions and potential of spiritual healing. But distant healing is as old as the New Testament works of Christ Jesus. The words "distant healing" simply refer to healing taking place when patient and healer are geographically apart from each other.

Here's an example from the Gospel of Matthew: "And when Jesus was entered into Capernaum, there came unto him a centurion, beseeching him, and saying, Lord, my servant lieth at home sick of the palsy, grievously tormented. And Jesus saith unto him, I will come and heal him. The centurion answered and said, Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldest come under my roof: but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed. For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard it, he marvelled, and said to them that followed, Verily I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. . . . And Jesus said unto the centurion, Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee. And his servant was healed in the selfsame hour" (Matt. 8:5-10, 13).

This clear and tender account gives comfort and hope to anyone who cares for loved ones who are beyond their nearby circle. (And this description undoubtedly fits virtually everyone.) Love has no geographic limits. It is instantly right there with family and friends, wherever they may be. And where love can rest so constantly, healing cannot be absent.

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