Jesus Heals
‘When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: “He took up our infirmities and bore our diseases.”’ Matthew 8:16-17
For some time, crowds have been soaking up Jesus’ teaching about radical practical living that pleases God, now known to us as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). We can imagine the gasps of revelation and understanding throughout the crowd as they hear new application and insight bringing their godly Jewish traditions to life. They hear and understand, probably for the first time, that through Jesus the ancient teachings of Torah and Talmud have great relevance and resonance for everyday life in an occupied land:
- You’re blessed when people hate you because of your belief in God!
- Even as you mourn the lack of freedom, justice and righteousness, God is with you!
The crowd stayed and stayed. Matthew records that they were ‘astounded at his teaching’ because of the authority they recognised in Jesus, compared with the legalism of the scribes.
So it’s not surprising that the crowd follows Jesus when he moves on. They have never come across anyone like him! Next, we read that a leper approaches Jesus. We know that the culture of the time demanded that lepers keep well away from anyone else; How much more easily can we imagine their isolation and despair now, against the backdrop of the pandemic. But this leper is bold, determined and desperate. The crowd must have been on tenterhooks. How will Jesus deal with this cultural dilemma? Can this potentially painful situation be resolved with goodness and righteousness?
We know how events continue of course. Not only was the leper healed, but as Jesus moves through the locality, first the servant of an influential Roman is healed ‘remotely’, next Peter’s mother-in-law makes a miraculous recovery from a fever and finally many sick and oppressed people in Capernaum are set free. Matthew points out that these signs and wonders reveal the glorious truth that Jesus is the One who has been prophesied throughout scripture, who will inaugurate God’s Kingdom and ‘bear our infirmities and carry our diseases’ Isaiah 53:4.
But of course, we all know people who have not been healed. Our lives here on earth are inextricably intermingled with the pain of ‘now and not yet’. God’s Kingdom is here, but not yet in fulness, see Hebrews chapter 2, where we read that we will rule and reign with Christ, but that we do not yet see everything under our feet. So let’s pray!
- Catherine Horton
Inward prayer: Holy Spirit please increase our faith and hope in Jesus, so we can handle life’s tragedies and disappointments. Help us to support and encourage each other.
Outward prayer: O Lord God, we long to see more of your power in signs and wonders setting people free and demonstrating your Kingdom. Fill us with your Holy Spirit! Come Lord Jesus!
For some time, crowds have been soaking up Jesus’ teaching about radical practical living that pleases God, now known to us as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5-7). We can imagine the gasps of revelation and understanding throughout the crowd as they hear new application and insight bringing their godly Jewish traditions to life. They hear and understand, probably for the first time, that through Jesus the ancient teachings of Torah and Talmud have great relevance and resonance for everyday life in an occupied land:
- You’re blessed when people hate you because of your belief in God!
- Even as you mourn the lack of freedom, justice and righteousness, God is with you!
The crowd stayed and stayed. Matthew records that they were ‘astounded at his teaching’ because of the authority they recognised in Jesus, compared with the legalism of the scribes.
So it’s not surprising that the crowd follows Jesus when he moves on. They have never come across anyone like him! Next, we read that a leper approaches Jesus. We know that the culture of the time demanded that lepers keep well away from anyone else; How much more easily can we imagine their isolation and despair now, against the backdrop of the pandemic. But this leper is bold, determined and desperate. The crowd must have been on tenterhooks. How will Jesus deal with this cultural dilemma? Can this potentially painful situation be resolved with goodness and righteousness?
We know how events continue of course. Not only was the leper healed, but as Jesus moves through the locality, first the servant of an influential Roman is healed ‘remotely’, next Peter’s mother-in-law makes a miraculous recovery from a fever and finally many sick and oppressed people in Capernaum are set free. Matthew points out that these signs and wonders reveal the glorious truth that Jesus is the One who has been prophesied throughout scripture, who will inaugurate God’s Kingdom and ‘bear our infirmities and carry our diseases’ Isaiah 53:4.
But of course, we all know people who have not been healed. Our lives here on earth are inextricably intermingled with the pain of ‘now and not yet’. God’s Kingdom is here, but not yet in fulness, see Hebrews chapter 2, where we read that we will rule and reign with Christ, but that we do not yet see everything under our feet. So let’s pray!
- Catherine Horton
Inward prayer: Holy Spirit please increase our faith and hope in Jesus, so we can handle life’s tragedies and disappointments. Help us to support and encourage each other.
Outward prayer: O Lord God, we long to see more of your power in signs and wonders setting people free and demonstrating your Kingdom. Fill us with your Holy Spirit! Come Lord Jesus!
1 Comment
Amen.
I beleive that when we use Jesus name to heal someone we have to know God deeply than ever. Knowing Who He is snd our faith in Him will heal that person whether instant but it hspoens in Gofs timing.