James 5: 14 — A Test of Faith

Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

As I read this verse I am almost overwhelmed by the implications. How should we begin? Perhaps we should begin with being sick.

Who among us has not been sick at one time or another? Often our sickness passes and we get better. Some kinds of sickness affect the body for years. Other sicknesses lead to death. Sometimes quickly, other times very slowly.

As a Christian, we do not fear death. Yet almost no one yearns to be ill. We like feeling well. That is how we are intended to be.

As I write this the world is in the grip of the COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease – 2019) pandemic. Thanks to today’s technology we have been able to watch in excruciating detail every spot around the globe infected by the disease. So right now, at this point in time, being sick is on everyone’s mind.

James is writing to those who believe in Jesus, the Son of God. Some of these people may have known Jesus when he was alive. Some may have seen him after he had been raised from the dead. Many believed what they had been told without seeing. In chapter two of James’ letter, he talks about faith and deeds. (Verses 17-26) Here James explains one way faith is put into action.

If a believer is sick (this includes you, the one who believes today), “Let them call the elders of the church…”

I don’t know about you, but that seems like a real act of faith. Calling others for help is not something that comes naturally to people. Is that because it goes against our pride? This is a test within the gift: Are you willing to call for help? Do you trust God?

This is also a test of the church. Do you have elders that would be willing to come and pray over you? Do they have enough faith to make the effort? Do they believe that God still heals people two thousand years after his Son ascended to heaven?

James makes a promise in the name of the Lord. James is the half-brother of Jesus. James knows Jesus personally and intimately. He also knows the Jesus that was raised from the dead. Would he say something like this if it were not true?

Faith and deeds come together in this offer of healing.

Lord willing we will talk about this more tomorrow, but for now, let us consider the faith required. Both to ask for help and to offer help.

James instructs the elders to pray over the sick and “… anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.” Is that necessary? Is faith really necessary?

When I read through the Old Testament, I marvel at how God set the bar for righteousness so low. He didn’t ask people to do anything superhuman. The sacrifices he asked for were simple. The things the Israelites were to do were not that complicated. In this case, James follows that tradition with a simple instruction: Anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord.

There is faith in this act, too.

Can’t God heal people without anointing them? Of course he can. Does he? Yes, he does. Is there magic in the oil? No, absolutely not.

The anointing is a physical symbol or expression of God’s touch. Why should we hesitate to do that? Where is our faith?

PS – Asking God for healing does not mean that we do not seek a doctor’s care as well. James does not say that we should avoid putting a bandaid on a cut. He doesn’t tell us to endure the headache and avoid aspirin. Neither does he expect us to shun a doctor’s care. If he did he would have said so.

Application: Are you in trouble? Pray. Are you happy? Sing! Are you sick? Call the elders of the church.

Food for Thought: How does God supply healing?