Jesus’ healing ministry revealed His power and purpose
When the sun was setting, all those who had anyone sick with various diseases brought them to him. As he laid his hands on each one of them, he healed them (Luke 4:40). The Galilean ministry of Jesus was clearly marked by healing that began in Cana (John 4:46-54) and moved to Capernaum.
Three of his “fishing trips” were centered on his healing power. These events highlight three important themes of his healing ministry: physical and spiritual deliverance, compassion, and forgiveness.
Word got out quickly that Jesus had great power after the man in the synagogue had been delivered. Jesus followed Peter to his home, and according to modern archeology, this may have been just down the street from the synagogue.
When they arrived, they found Peter’s mother-in-law lying deathly sick with a high fever. All three Synoptic Gospels record this event. Matthew says that Jesus “touched her hand” (Matthew 8:15). Luke wrote that Jesus “rebuked the fever” (Luke 4:39), and Mark simply says he “raised her up” (Mark 1:31).
There was no question that Jesus alone healed this woman in a miraculous way, and her healing led to a massive crowd of people wanting Jesus to heal them. Mark 1:33 says“the whole city gathered at the door.” Many came for physical healing. Others came for deliverance from demonic spirits, which came out with screams.
But Jesus didn’t tolerate the demons speaking. He didn’t want to give his critics any reason to accuse him of somehow using demonic power to remove demons, as they later did (Matthew 12:24; Mark 3:22).
Every miracle pointed to something greater
It’s important to note that Jesus used this exercise of his power over sickness and the spirit world to demonstrate his authority over much greater things, like the forgiveness of sin. These things validated his claim that he was the Son of Man.
Days later, Jesus encountered a man completely covered in leprosy (Luke 5:12-15). The man ran to Jesus, fell on his face, and said, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” I can imagine how Jesus’ heart was breaking for this man who was literally watching his body mutilate and waste away, making him hideous and confining him to a life of isolation. But Jesus did the unthinkable.
The Bible says that Jesus reached out his hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be made clean” (Luke 5:13). This man had not been touched in years, and for Jesus to touch him and heal him was life-changing.
This was a classic Jesus move, and this is why the people loved him so much. He loved those who were hurting, and his heart was moved toward them. Compassion was at the forefront of Jesus’ encounters with people. We read seven times in the gospels that Jesus was filled with compassion or moved with compassion.
Jesus cared about more than physical healing
On another occasion, Jesus was teaching in a home in Capernaum and the crowds pressed in to hear his every word. The friends of a crippled man dismantled the tiled roof of the house and lowered the sick man on his mat down before Jesus. Jesus, seeing their faith, said, “Friend, your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20).
When the religious leaders protested that only God could forgive sins, Jesus demonstrated his authority once again by healing the man and causing him to stand and walk. He was always more concerned with a person’s spiritual wellbeing than their physical well-being. While Jesus did heal some people, he did not heal everyone. He prioritized preaching the gospel (Luke 4:42-44).
Jesus still sees, loves, and restores people today
Jesus saw people not only as they were, but as they could become. He was moved by compassion and drawn to the hurting. Matthew 8:17 points out that he was the fulfillment of Isaiah 53:4, which says, “he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains.” Jesus still cares for the hurting. He is still drawn to the desperate. And he still hears those who call out to him.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our books, His Way Still Works.
