Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
The speaker claims, “Jesus does not heal against people’s will…He only does according to our faith,” and then says Jesus “realized what they truly wanted”; how should a group wrestle with the tension between human will, faith, and Jesus’s authority when the person’s desires are confused, damaged, or oppressed?
Another way to ask: The speaker says Jesus doesn’t heal against people’s will and works “according to our faith,” yet also says Jesus knew what they really wanted. How do we deal with the tension between a person’s will, their faith, and Jesus’s power when their desires are confused or damaged?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
The transcript suggests a group should hold two truths together: Jesus respects human will and works “according to our faith,” yet he can also discern deeper desires beneath oppression and act with compassion toward what the person truly wants—freedom.
- The speaker states plainly, “Jesus does not heal against people's will. Jesus does not do things that you would not want him to do.”
- He adds, “He only does according to our faith,” referencing Jesus asking, “Do you have faith that this can happen?”
- He references the response, “I will, I do help my unbelief,” to show faith can be mixed and struggling.
- He says Jesus “looked at these people with the facade of evil and realized what they truly wanted…They wanted to be free.”
- His examples (child captive; woman bound 18 years) imply desires may be overridden or clouded by bondage, yet Jesus aims at liberation.