Part 3: The Healer

1 When Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities. 2 Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples 3 and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” 4 And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: 5 the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. 6 And blessed is the one who is not offended by me.”

Introduction

Text

Matthew 8:14–17 ESV

14 And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Big Idea

Transition

Matthew 9:35–36 ESV

35 And Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

The healing ministry of Jesus was motivated by...

A Heart of Compassion

Jesus loved people and people were suffering.

There were people in pain, marginalized by society, overwhelmed with fear, desperate for relief.

There were the lame, the blind, the deaf, the mute, the leprous, the bleeding, the sick, and the dying.

Jesus had compassion for the people.

Jesus reached out to people and healed them. Crowds would surround Jesus. People realized that Jesus could heal their sickness.

He was able to turn grieving parents, stressed out families, frustrated friends, into people of joy. In His compassion, Jesus brought so much joy into the lives of people.

Transition

Remember the story that Wayne Tresch shared last week about the lame man?

Jesus healed the man, not only from a motivation of compassion, but it served as...

A Revelation of Divine Identity and Authority

Luke 5:20–26 ESV

20 And when he saw their faith, he said, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” 21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to question, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” 22 When Jesus perceived their thoughts, he answered them, “Why do you question in your hearts? 23 Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? 24 But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he said to the man who was paralyzed—“I say to you, rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 25 And immediately he rose up before them and picked up what he had been lying on and went home, glorifying God. 26 And amazement seized them all, and they glorified God and were filled with awe, saying, “We have seen extraordinary things today.”

Jesus demonstrated His authority to forgive and His authority to heal people.

This demonstration of authority revealed His identity.

Healing was to be a sign of the Messiah—the sent One from God the Father—who would save people from their sins.

Not only does Jesus’ healing ministry reveal his identity as the Messiah, but also it demonstrates his authority as God (Second Person of the Trinity)—he can forgive and heal.

In fact, the Scripture clearly pointed us to this fact:

Matthew 8:17 ESV

17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”

Transition

Jesus healed to reveal His identity and authority as the Messiah and as the infinite Son of God.

And the healing of sickness and disease pointed to the work of salvation.

The Old Testament prophet Isaiah, reveals a powerful, life-changing truth:

Isaiah 53:4–6 ESV

4 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Jesus’ healing ministry served as...

A Validation of Atonement (Jesus’ sacrificial death)

The problem of sickness and disease is directly related to the problem of sin and death—the consequences of humankind’s first disobedience and defiance toward God.

Through the life and sacrifice of his Son, Jesus, God provides freedom, restoration and other benefits that far exceed the pain, destruction, and other consequences of humankind’s sin and rebellion against God.

Jesus’ death was more than enough to provide complete freedom and restoration for the whole person—spirit, soul, and body.

Satan uses sin and sickness as tools to destroy us, but God provides forgiveness and healing in order to restore our relationship with him and make us whole—spiritually and physically.

Christ’s followers should humbly and faithfully pray for and accept everything that Christ’s sacrifice provides—including the healing of our bodies.

Conclusion

Jesus heals today!

James 5:13–16 ESV

13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

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