The Healing of God – Part III

Life and death are in the hands of the Creator. Similarly, health and disease are His pleasure. He is the great healer to whom disease and sickness surrender. Healing is a significant theme in the life and the teachings of Jesus Christ. The New Testament documents four Gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, each providing unique perspectives on the life and ministry of Jesus. Here are some key aspects of healing in the New Testament: Miraculous Healings by Jesus: The Gospels describe numerous instances where Jesus performed miraculous healings. These healings often involved physical ailments such as blindness, deafness, leprosy, paralysis, and other diseases. Examples include the healing of the blind man (Mark 8:22-26), the leper (Matthew 8:1-4), the paralytic (Mark 2:1-12), and many others. Faith as a Component of Healing: In several instances, Jesus emphasised the importance of faith in the healing process. For example, he would often say, "Your faith has healed you" (e.g., Mark 5:34, Luke 17:19). The belief in Jesus as the source of healing was a recurring theme, and people often approached Jesus with faith that he could heal. Healing through Touch: Jesus often used physical touch as a means of conveying healing. In the Gospels, there are accounts of Jesus laying hands on the sick or using touch as a direct means of transmitting healing power (e.g., Mark 1:40-42, Luke 8:43-48). Demonstrating Authority: Jesus' healing miracles were not only acts of compassion but also demonstrations of his divine authority. They served to validate his identity as the Son of God and the Messiah (Matthew 9:6-7, Mark 2:10-11). Healing as a Sign of the Kingdom: The healings performed by Jesus were seen as signs of the coming Kingdom of God. They demonstrated the breaking in of God's power and reign into the present world, offering a glimpse of the ultimate restoration promised in the Scriptures (Matthew 12:28, Luke 11:20). Commissioning Disciples to Heal: Jesus not only healed the sick himself but also empowered his disciples to do the same. In passages like Matthew 10:1 and Luke 9:1-2, Jesus gives his disciples the authority to heal diseases and cast out demons. Healing and Forgiveness: Some healing stories in the Gospels also emphasise the connection between physical healing and the forgiveness of sins. For instance, in the healing of the paralysed man (Mark 2:1-12), Jesus first forgives the man's sins before healing his physical ailment. Overall, healing in the New Testament is portrayed as a powerful expression of God's compassion, love, authority, divinity and the arrival of His Kingdom on the one hand and our belief, faith and submission to our Saviour on the other. Dr Ashwin Drummond laddertoheaven.co.in