If ever there were a picture of hope and healing, it’s Matthew 4:23-25, “Now Jesus began to go all over Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 Then the news about him spread throughout Syria. So they brought to him all those who were afflicted, those suffering from various diseases and intense pains, the demon-possessed, the epileptics, and the paralytics. And he healed them. 25 Large crowds followed him from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan.”
Think of the “geographic” scope of Jesus’ ministry. He was the headline news in Galilee, then Syria, then Galilee, Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, beyond the Jordan. Think of the “numerical” scope of the sheer number of people impacted. Jesus didn’t just heal a few people here or there but everyone, everywhere. And think of the “categorical” scope of his ministry. He healed every disease and sickness. Those afflicted, those suffering various diseases and intense pain, the demon-possessed, epileptics, paralytics. He also restored people’s sight, their hearing, their incapacitated limbs, he raised a little girl from a casket, Lazarus from a tomb in which he lay for 4 days. The gospels catapult our hopes and expectations for healing to a whole other stratosphere! And in regard to healing, Jesus invites his disciples to pray boldly and with great faith, to believe and not doubt.
It’s the gospel writer Luke who gives us insight into Jesus’ healing ministry. Jesus after all was conceived of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit descended upon Jesus at his baptism. The Spirit compelled Jesus into the wilderness and strengthened him to overcome all temptation. The Spirit anointed Jesus to preach the good news, give recovery of sight to the blind, set the oppressed free, and proclaim favor. The Spirit of Christ, drove out whatever evil or demonic spirits Jesus encountered. And ultimately, the Spirit of God raised Jesus from the grave. And before his death, as we mentioned last week, Jesus declared it good he leaves this earth so he could send his Holy Spirit to be with us forever.
Our great hope for healing today is found in the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:11 Bible says, “And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you, then he who raised Christ from the dead will also bring your mortal bodies to life through his spirit who lives in you." This verse ought to fill us with hope and optimism! IT should be our practice to lay all our struggles, burdens, needs, afflictions, temptations—you name it—all before God. James tells us there are areas of life where we don’t experience healing simply because we do not ask. I love the story of Hezekiah in the Old Testament, because he asked boldly, and God healed his body and extended his life! But then of course, Hezekiah later died.
I’ve always found it important to differentiate between two types of healing in Scripture. In every account in the gospels, people are receiving “substantial” healing. Their healing is tangible, and concrete. They walk away from Jesus different than they came. Jesus didn’t just improve their condition; he healed their condition.
But we have to get our mind around this fact: As extraordinary as the gospel accounts are, everyone Jesus healed had yet to experience the “fullness” of everything that would be possible, or available, or eventually unveiled in Christ… and made possible by the Spirit. You might say all these people in the Gospels were receiving the “firstfruits,” an “appetizer,” a “foretaste” of every spiritual blessing they would soon receive in Christ, by faith, upon Jesus’ resurrection and ascent into heaven and the descent of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
What did Jesus tell Lazarus family just before he called for Lazarus to come out? He told Mary and Martha, “Though you die, yet shall you live, do you believe this?” What did Paul tell the Corinthians? He told them that no, we don’t grieve like unbelievers. Yet still, they should comfort and encourage one another. Why? Because were awaiting the day of our Lord’s Return… when we’ll receive COMPLETE, ULTIMATE healing. In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul says the day is yet to come when death will be completely, finally, swallowed up in victory. Revelation 21:4 says the day is coming when "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. Death will be no more; grief, crying, and pain will be no more, because the previous things have passed away."
What am I saying? There are conditions of our heart that may afflict us. There are conditions of our mind (thoughts, feelings) that may plague us. There are conditions of the body that may discourage us. But as believers it’s not a matter of “if” we will be completely healed, but to what degree NOW (substantially, tangibly) we can be healed. And to what degree we’ve NOT-YET (fully, completely) been healed. There are the first fruits of healing that should (indeed must) be sought and enjoyed now. But then later, we will enjoy the “full buffet” (the main course, and the dessert) of healing in the Day of Jesus.
If you could experience substantial healing in one area of your life right now, what area would it be? If I may, let’s focus on the mind. In Matthew 4, Jesus is healing people physically, in their bodies. But as the crowds grow it’s interesting that Jesus goes up on a mountain and begins teaching them. They’d experienced “physical” healing but they needed “spiritual, heart-level, mental” healing.
Consider again, the “categorical scope” of healing Jesus brings to the crowds. Let’s not read this too quickly. Matthew 5:3-10 Jesus says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. 5 Blessed are the humble, for they will inherit the earth. 6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. 7 Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. 8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. 9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. 10 Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for the kingdom of heaven is theirs. 11 “You are blessed when they insult you and persecute you and falsely say every kind of evil against you because of me. 12 Be glad and rejoice, because your reward is great in heaven.”
These are all different areas where we find ourselves bruised by the world. Poor in the Spirit, Broken. Mourning, Grieving, Saddened. Humbled, Made Small. Hungering and Thirsting for righteousness, justice. Feeling perhaps Angry, Vengeful, Victimized. Experiencing impure Thoughts, Desires, Feelings. Worn out from relational Conflicts and Divisions. Insulted, Disrespected, Persecuted, Lied about, Misunderstood, Mischaracterized.
Across three chapters in Matthew (Matthew 5-6-7) Jesus gives them wisdom for living in a broken world. For those who would obey Christ’s commands, substantial healing, the firstfruits of the Kingdom can be experienced and enjoyed! The tide can change!
But notice that in each beatitude there is the NOT YET aspect to healing mentioned. You are blessed now… but in God’s sovereign timing the Kingdom of Heaven will be yours, you’ll inherit the earth, be comforted, be filled, shown mercy, see God, be called Sons of God, be rewarded greatly, for all you suffer!
If you could experience substantial healing in one area of your life right now, what area would it be? I want to close with what I think is one of the most important verses on healing in the Bible. Its Hebrews 4:12. First of all, the whole chapter is about entering into God’s rest. I think of Jesus’ invitation in Matthew 11:28-30 where he stands up and announces, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, because I am lowly and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Maybe that is just the kind of rest you most need! But then Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” 2 Timothy 3:16, “All Scripture is inspired by God…”
Why not invite God’s Spirit to bring healing into the depths of your heart, your mind, yes even body. By his word and Spirit God created all things… by his word and Spirit God is bringing substantial hope and healing into our lives now… and full and complete hope and healing into our lives on Day of Jesus.
What do you want God to do for you today, by the same Spirit raised Jesus?
Invitation: >> Explore Hope! >> Explore Partnership Sunday May 3rd!