The Church - A Place to Heal

By Okpreacher

John 5:3-4, “Within these lay a multitude of the sick-blind, lame, and paralyzed-waiting for the moving of the water, because an angel would go down into the pool from time to time and stir up the water. Then the first one who got in after the water was stirred up recovered from whatever ailment he had.”


I have read this story many times and had never really considered why so many people that were sick, lame, blind, and paralyzed where there. They were there because they were looking for healing. The pool had been a place of healing and they wanted to be there the next time it was stirred up so they could be healed. What else would you expect if you have a place of healing? Shouldn’t it be open to those who need it most? Many times I have been to a doctor’s office and every time it was a place where sick people were welcomed. Why? What else would you expect from a person who has been trained in helping sick people get well? It seems obvious to me that if you have help for the hurting then the hurting should be allowed to come and get the help.

Unfortunately, the church today, which is to reflect the nature of the Great Physician, isn’t accepting patients anymore. To be accepted in most church now you need to look healthy and act healthy. The problem with most churches is they don’t want people with problems and therefore they miss out on the power of Christ to bring healing to these people. Not only that, but when a church decides to only reach out to the rich and healthy instead of the hurting and sick, they have rejected the mission of Christ. Christ came for the sick and brought healing. He came for the hurting and brought life. He came for the sinful and brought forgiveness. So shouldn't the church door be open and ready to receive the hurting and sick? So let's follow Christ and be a place of healing.