The Hygienic Cure

This week's study from "Come Follow Me" led me to ponder and view two of the Savior's miracles in a new light. There is a common thread in the healing of the paralytic and the woman with the issue of blood.

He addresses both of them as His children in a sense by calling the paralytic "son" and the woman "daughter" (Matthew 9:2; Mark 5:34). This can only happen in a literal sense as we make and keep covenants and become "spiritually begotten" and "born of Him" (see Mosiah 5:7).

This verse in the Book of Mormon brings up the second aspect of these two miracles as it speaks of a "change of heart" through "faith on His name."

They have to break down the roof in order to get this man in close proximity to the Savior. And certainly this man is a prime candidate for a physical healing. Then Jesus says, "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee" (Matt. 9:2). In previous readings I always thought this is not what the crowd came for! But through the Spirit, I just wanted this time to be a fly on the wall and listen to the paralytic's prayer that morning. Maybe it went something like, "Please Lord, I can deal with my disability, but this guilt is eating me alive!" We really don't know. The scriptures don't tell us.

We are given better insight into the woman with the issue of blood. She had been battling this problem for 12 years. She thinks if she can just get close enough to touch the border or "wing" of the prayer shawl hanging over His shoulders, then she might be healed. Ironically, the tassels hanging from this piece of apparel would be tied in knots to represent the 613 tenants of the Law of Moses--a list way too long to keep with perfection.

The Savior says, "Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague" (Mark 5:34).

Here we encounter a rather sloppy King James translation. The first "whole" and the second "whole" (no, this isn't golf) are not the same. The first "whole" is the Greek word "sozo" and it means to save. This should be translated as "thy faith hath saved thee." The second "whole" is the Greek word "hygies," where we get the English word "hygiene" or good health. It probably should read, "My daughter, your faith has saved you. Go your way and be of good health."


PERSONAL APPLICATIONS:

1. Are my personal prayers getting through the roof?

2. Is my faith diminished when I don't get what I ask for in my morning laundry list?

3. Am I seeking real salvation and a change of heart or just good hygiene?