Most of us have been ill at some time, if only with the common complaints such as colds, flu and diarrhea. By God’s kindness, we have returned to good health through natural processes and medicinal helps. To get well gradually is not a miracle in the biblical sense, even when it is a remarkable or unexpected recovery. The fact that God uses natural processes does not detract at all from how wonderfully God treats us. Nor does it reflect on the power of prayer. For God is equally powerful to heal by natural means or by miraculous means.
If natural healing is most often by gradual process, then it follows that supernatural healing is most evident for its immediacy. That is why the Bible so often stresses the sudden, instantaneous nature of miracles. A brief sample from Luke—“the beloved physician” (Colossians 4:14)—bears this out:
[Jesus] stood over her [Peter’s mother-in-law] and rebuked the fever, and it left her, and immediately she rose and began to serve them (Luke 4:39).
Jesus stretched out his hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately the leprosy left him (Luke 5:13).
[Jesus] said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God (Luke 5:24-25).
In that hour He healed many people of diseases and plagues and evil spirits, and on many who were blind he bestowed sight (Luke 7:21).
She came up behind Him and touched the fringe of His garment, and immediately her discharge of blood ceased (Luke 8:44).
Taking her [the dead girl] by the hand He called, saying, “Child, arise.” And her spirit returned, and she got up at once (Luke 8:54-55).
And immediately he recovered his sight and followed Him, glorifying God. And all the people, when they saw it, gave praise to God (Luke 18:43).