OUR FAITH RESIDES IN CHRIST, THE ONE WHO HEALS
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Village to village… town to town… crowds follow Jesus as He travels the countryside. His heart of mercy and compassion propels Him to put aside any weariness and reach out to heal all who come to Him. He always takes action to help the suffering.
A man plagued with leprosy kneels before Jesus. For he realizes this Man of miracles is the only One who can heal him of his incurable disease…
“Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.”
Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. “I am willing… Be clean!” Immediately he was cleansed of his leprosy. – Matthew 8:2-3
Two blind men who have heard of this Healer call out to Jesus as He passes by…
“Have mercy on us, Son of David.”…
“Do you believe that I am able to do this?”
“Yes, Lord.”…
Then He touched their eyes and said, “According to your faith let it be done to you,” and their sight was restored. – Matthew 9:27-30
A woman afflicted with bleeding for twelve years approaches this Man amidst the crowds. For she has heard that He heals the suffering…
“If I only touch His cloak, I will be healed.”
Jesus turned and saw her. “Take heart, daughter… your faith has healed you.” And the woman was healed at that moment. – Matthew 9:21-22
A centurion comes to Jesus to tell Him of his servant who lies ill…
“Shall I come and heal him?”…
“Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed.”…
When Jesus heard this, He was amazed… “Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith… Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.” And his servant was healed at that moment. – Matthew 8:7-8, 10, 13
A common thread runs through these biblical events… a thread of belief… belief in the Healer, Jesus Christ. Faith drives each of these individuals to pursue Him. They trust in His miraculous gift of healing. Jesus sees their faith and responds with healing power according to His will.
“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners.” – Isaiah 61:1
Jesus is the complete fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy. For He reigns in power and authority over all sickness, disease and infirmity… the evils faced by living in a fallen world. One touch… a miraculous touch from this Man of deep love, compassion and mercy… heals all.
Jesus is our Healer. His healing touch is for us today by His presence in our lives. Yet, like these biblical people of faith, we must believe that He can heal… and ask for His saving help. Jesus hears the prayers of the suffering and acts in accordance with the will of God. It is up to us to believe… it is up to Him to heal. We look with the eyes of faith to this Man of miracles, with a heart of mercy and compassion… and trust that He will do what is best.
“Are You the One who was to come, or should we look for someone else?” – Matthew 11:3
John the Baptist is in prison for calling out the sin of the tetrarch Herod’s marriage to his brother’s wife. This prophet hears of the mighty works of Jesus and sends his disciples to inquire if He is indeed the Messiah… the Promised One… the Healer of all. Jesus responds…
“Go back and report to John what you hear and see: The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the good news is preached to the poor.” – Matthew 11:4-5
Jesus here summarizes His earthly mission. His miracles of healing validate His teaching, proving that He is truly the Son of God. Yet His mission is not just one of physical healing, but of spiritual healing as well. He comes to free us from sin and give us life everlasting.
Jesus’ message of good news and hope is for all the world. The “poor” to whom He proclaims the good news are the spiritually poor…all who are lost in sin and in need of a Savior. The message of Jesus is for total healing of body and spirit to all who will come to Him in faith.
Many in the crowd followed Jesus merely for what He could do for them in this life. The same is true today. People miss His message of eternal healing. They seek Him only to ease their pain and discomfort in the present, rather than as the Almighty One who can give them a future of unending life and peace.
Are you looking to Jesus merely for your physical healing… for comfort and freedom from pain in this life? Or do you see Him as your spiritual Healer as well… the One who will heal your sins and the wounds to your soul? Is He your source of eternal life… the One who promises you a life of everlasting peace in His presence?
“For I will restore health to you and heal you of your wounds.” – Jeremiah 30:17
Jesus is our Healer. He can not only heal our physical wounds but our spiritual wounds as well. He can not only heal physical disease but the spiritual disease of sin… the disease that plagues all mankind. Since Christ alone has conquered death, He is the only One who can give us life everlasting. His presence and power brings eternal healing of body and spirit to all who seek Him in faith.
† Eternal Takeaway – In Jesus alone, we can experience a healed life… now and forever †
