Jesus' Ministry of Healing

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.  Matthew 14:14

As we consider the healing ministry of Jesus as the example for our own ministries we find that He spoke the words of God and did the works of God during His earthly ministry.   Healing and deliverance were part of His words and work.

Sometimes Jesus healed everyone present. At other times, He healed specific individuals. He healed many different types of diseases and used various methods of ministry. Sometimes healings occurred without faith on the part of the sick. At other times it occurred because of the faith of the sick or their friends or relatives. Jesus ministered healing wherever He went and His ministry was marked by compassion. His ministry received a variety of reactions from the people and the religious and political leaders of the time.

This same Jesus through the power of the Holy Spirit moves among us to save and heal today.  Remember,

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:  Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:12-13)

And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole.   (Mark 6:56)

It was not necessary for Jesus to be physically present with the ill in order to heal. He healed from a distance:

√     The Centurion's servant:                             Matthew 8:5-13

√     The nobleman's son:                                    John 4:46-50

√     Daughter of Syrophoenician woman:       Matthew 15:21-28

Jesus often commanded the sick to do something as part of the healing process:

The man with the withered hand was told to "stretch it forth":    Luke 6:6-11

The paralyzed man at Bethesda was told to "rise, take up thy bed and walk":   John 5:1-9

The nobleman with a sick son was told "go thy way":  John 4:46- 54

The ten lepers were told to show themselves to the priest: Luke 17:11-19

A blind man was told to wash in the pool of Siloam: John 9:7

Jesus ministered healing in both public (groups and in the synagogue) and in private settings (homes and individual contacts).

Jesus used unusual "material" items such as:

¨     Spit

¨     Mud

¨     Fingers in ears

¨     Hem of His garment

¨     Washing in water

Sometimes the sick touched Him:

Daughter of Jairus:             Mark 5:23-24

The multitudes:                   Luke 6:17-19

The multitudes:                   Mark 3:10

Whoever touched Him:     Mark 6:56

Sometimes He touched the sick:

Two blind men:                               Matthew 9:27-31

People with various diseases:       Luke 4:40

Leper:                                                 Luke 5:13

Woman with spirit of infirmity:   Luke 13:10-13

The instructions Jesus gave following healings were varied. For example, Peter's mother-in-law got up from her bed and ministered to those in the house. Jesus called for food to be given to Jarius' daughter.

The healings of Jesus occurred in various locations:

In and around homes                                Funerals

Graveyards                                                   The temple

In gardens                                                    Enroute to other destinations

At mealtime gatherings

Open meetings: In streets, by pools, hillsides, boats

There were varied responses to the miracles and healings:

Amazement                                                  Fear of God

Controversy                                                  Rejection by family and religious leaders

Demons crying out                                     Anger

Popularity                                                     Glorifying God

Questioning "What is this?"                     Discussion (both report and rumor)

Household salvation

No matter the reaction, Jesus carried out the mission that was given to Him during His assigned time on this earth:

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.  (Matthew 4:23)

He also prepared the original disciples to do exactly as he did:

And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.  Matthew 10:1

As disciples of Jesus, we have the same power to heal all manner of sickness and disease.  We have this power through the authority given us in Jesus’ name and the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within us.  When we pray for healing we ask in faith and in accordance to the will of God.  We accept His will in all situations.

Biblical Studies