16th June 2023

Heal the sick

Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness.
Matthew 9:35 (NLT)

When Jesus lived on earth He performed many miracles proving He was who He said He was – the Son of God. He also announced the start of a new era: the Kingdom of God had arrived here on earth. Maybe not in its fullness, but nevertheless it was here. The miracles of healing also strengthened the faith of all believers. 

Above all else, the compelling motivation in Jesus’ heart that prompted Him to heal the sick and to minister to their needs was His compassion: ‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.’ (v.36). Simply put, He healed people because He loved them and cared deeply for them. When they hurt, He hurt, and He was moved to help.

But does this mean when we ask for healing and are not healed that God does not love us, or He has no compassion for us? We reason that if God loved us He would heal us. But this is not how it works. This transactional view of God is harmful because if God does not meet our demands, we convince ourselves He doesn’t love us and in some cases it can shake our faith so much we begin to doubt Him and His promises.

A more helpful place to start is with the view that we are a beloved child of God and that our God is good, and He will always do what is best for us. Healing is no different. He cares deeply about our suffering and is continually working to make us well spiritually, emotionally, and physically. The apostle Peter wrote, ‘By his wounds you are healed.’ (1 Peter 2:24). Notice the verse says you are already healed. This doesn’t mean we can expect instant physical healing every time in this life, but one day, when our bodies are changed at Christ’s return, there will be no more sickness. In God’s Kingdom it will be banished for all eternity. This is good news for us today. 

In the meantime, when we are sick we can come before God and confidently ask for healing. At the same time, we turn our lives over to our loving Father, and say as Jesus did just before His crucifixion,  “…not what I will, but what you will.” (Mark 14:36 NIV) 

Prayer
Our loving Father, help us not to doubt your love for us. Instead, let us come boldly to your throne and ask for healing when we need it, knowing you are continually working for our good. Change the way we think so that we can truly say your will be done in our lives, and in the lives of our loved ones. Thank you for all you do for us, in Jesus’ name Amen.

Study by Jackie Mill

About the writer:
Jackie Mill is a minister in Grace Communion International and Co-Regional Pastor for Scotland and Ireland. 

Local congregation:
GCI, Edinburgh – Edinburgh has a zoom service at the moment. For details email the local congregational contact below.                     

Local congregational contact:   
Peter Mill
Email: edinburgh@gracecom.church

Word of Life contact:
wordoflife@gracecom.church