In our local paper we receive a Sunday supplement that carries stories of general interest. The latest story was about Pope John Paul II’s beatification.
I read with interest how this process is actually done, and here is a summary:
According to the article, the beatification process for the Pope is considered only when there has been a healing recorded after his death which is attributable to him. What does beatification mean? It is the official act of the pope whereby a deceased person is declared to be enjoying the happiness of heaven.
A catholic nun by the name of Marie Sion Pierra was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in June of 2001. As the years progressed, her condition worsened. She asked to be relieved of her duties a few days after the death of the Pope, which was April 2, 2005.
The other nuns encouraged her to continue, stating that John Paul II has not said his last words yet. Remember, he was dead by then.
June 2nd, Marie observed a notable improvement in her health. It was not until she began walking and writing again that she noticed the Parkinson’s had disappeared. She went to her doctor of four years and he declared that all her symptoms had disappeared. Marie says in the article that John Paul has interceded for her on her behalf, which has brought about her healing.
There are other healings as well noted in this article, while Pope John Paul was alive.
in 1998 a man in advanced stages of cancer received communion from the Popes’ hands. This man was healed.
Cardinal F. Marchisano tells how the Pope touched his throat and received his voice after a medical error left his vocal chords damaged and unable to speak.
in 1990 a man stricken with leukemia was healed after receiving the benediction from the Pope.
In all of the healings noted above, credit was given to Pope John Paul II.
Friends, only Jesus intercedes and only Jesus heals. These healings mentioned in the article give the glory to man, not to Jesus.
Romans 8:34 Who is he who condemns? It is Christ who died, and furthermore is also risen, who is even at the right hand of God, who also makes intercession for us.
- Only Jesus intercedes for us.
Deuteronomy 18:10-12
There shall not be found among you anyone who makes his son or his daughter pass through the fire, or one who practices witchcraft, a soothsayer, or one who interprets omens, or a sorcerer or one who conjures spells, or a medium, or a spiritist, or one who calls up the dead. For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, and because of these abominations the LORD your God drives them out from before you.
- We are not to have any contact with the dead.
The Bible is clear on who heals.
- John 14:14 If you ask anything in My name I will do it.
- Matthew 8:7 And Jesus said to him, I will come and heal him.
It is of vital importance that we know our Bible so that we do not fall into deception.
Jesus, who sits at the right hand of God makes intercession for us. It is only through the name of Jesus that one is healed, not through any other name. Do not give credit to man, only to the one and only Son of God, who heals the sick, cleanse the lepers and has risen from the dead to give us life and life abundantly.
John 14:13
And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.
May you be richly blessed this day.
pope john paul was a humble servant of god who interceded for others IN CHRIST AND FOR CHRIST in response to the command ”on this rock i will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it”secondly the intercession of the saints is asked for,.the healing of any ailment is credited to jesus,do not misunderstand.a saint becomes an example for people like us other than d example of JESUS the LORD..in prayer u will understand.
Hola Herman,
The rock that Jesus was referring to in scripture was about Himself. Jesus is our rock. The church is built upon the rock of Jesus, not man. If you read the posting correctly, I am calling out those that credit healings anyone else besides Jesus. All honor goes to the Son of God only.
Blessings
Dear Yvette,
I liked how you shared about the Pope and how people said that he had done all the miracles and at one point in your devotional you turn it all around. Then the truth comes to light and that was so powerful. It is so true and then we give Jesus all the glory which He deserves. Very uplifting devotional. I keep your devotionals in my Inbox until I have time to read them. This one like all others was a delight.
God bless the work of your hands.
Lots of Love, Suzanne
Blessings to you Suzanne,
I too enjoy your devotionals very much.
I just stumbled across your blog today, and what an excellent posting! I can also ask Jesus to intercede on someone’s behalf, but if that person is healed, I don’t expect that I will be made a saint. And Paul referred to ALL Christians as saints, not just those who had miracles performed in their names! Only Jesus performs miracles, right? I have subscribed to your blog and look forward to future reading. To GOD is the glory! We are blessed to be an instrument, but the glory is HIS! Amen!
Amen Ann, all glory does go to Jesus.
Blessings!
Book marked, I really like your blog!
Hi Yvette,
“Friends, only Jesus intercedes and only Jesus heals. These healings mentioned in the article give the glory to man, not to Jesus.” Amen! Amen! Amen!
I am surrounded by those who give glory to man when Supernatural things/miracles happen. No matter what I say, they tell me they have been doing it for years, and their ancestors did it, so it can’t be wrong??? Excellent post and much needed to be spoken about! Blessings
Another key element in this is the Beatification itself, ONLY God can affirm who enjoys His presence or does not. Mt 7:22 says: Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in they name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? But He does not know them or receive them as verse 23 tells us.
Also the Catholic Institution seems to have numerous ways of adding “gatekeepers” and middlemen. They do not speak out against this but rather spread their wings like the peacock to recieve man’s praise and worship. Anything or anybody who distracts us from a DIRECT relationship with our Creator is simply not of God, it is an idol. Not my opinion, the Word says so.
I feel the pope could be a godly man,who prays… but faith in the pope INSTEAD of Jesus ,would be wrong.Jesus is my saviour and healer,and can be yours too!
Yes Sue, only Jesus is our healer, amen!
Excellent reply back you given my dear. I don’t know much about what the Pope does nor do I know about the back ground of him or what they believe or not believe. What I do know is God’s Word. And Only Jesus Paid it All in Full! Glory to Him.
Thank you my dear!
Really like this post, as a nurse I have come across people who are confused about alternative therapies, and supernatural healing. JESUS has our best interests at heart and he brings true “wholeness ” to us , for body soul and spirit if we seek him with all our hearts ,he has promised to hear and answer our call.
Yvette,
Is the Pope not capable of asking the Lord to intercede? Is the Pope not capable of having a spiritual gift? 1 Corinthians 12 states:
“1 Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. 2 You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. 3 Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit.
4 There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. 5 There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. 6 There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
7 Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good. 8 To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, 9 to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, 10 to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues,[a] and to still another the interpretation of tongues.[b] 11 All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.”
Since the Pope clearly prays to God and claims that his power comes from Jesus, maybe it’s a bit harsh to say that the Pope is bringing glory to himself rather than God.
Additionally, I completely disagree with your statement that only Jesus intercedes for us. A simple Google search for intercessory prayer will point you to numerous verses about how Christians are called to intercede on each others’ behalf. I know that you would enjoy prayer from your Christian brothers and sisters, even the Catholic ones, if you were to become ill or experience a tragedy.
The Lord keep you and protect you,
St. John the Lutheran
Hello and thank you for your comment.
I would like to clear up a few details for you.
1-All believers are capable of having spiritual gifts, and I never said that the Pope is bringing glory to himself, it was the people in the article that did so.
2- When it comes to Bible reference, I do not search google, I search the Bible. We are to pray for others and intercede in Jesus name and give Him the glory, not other people. When I pray for someone and their request is answered, glory goes to Jesus, not me.
Yvette