Entering Into God’s Presence Knowing God Through His Roles & Titles

God Our Healer (Sphere of Economics) To Study and Ponder

• Healing was a prominent aspect of Jesus’ ministry. The following chart points to 34 occasions

  in which Jesus healed someone. They are organized geographically, roughly from North to South. “Jesus Heals”

• Jesus was motivated by compassion as he healed, noticing those in need:-

  • -  When two blind men follow calling out for healing ... Jesus had compassion on them and

    touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him. Matt.20:34 (NIV)

  • -  Jesus saw the huge crowd as he stepped from the boat, and he had compassion on them

    and healed their sick. Matthew 14:14

  • -  A man with leprosy begged “If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,” he

    said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. “I am willing,” he said.

    “Be healed!” Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed Mark 1:40-42

  • -  When Jesus saw her [crippled woman], he called her over and said, “Dear woman, you are healed

    of your sickness!” Then he touched her, and instantly she could stand straight. Luke 13:12-13

• Pain,sicknessanddeathareaconsequenceofthefall(Gen2:16-17;3:16-19).Thesewere

  never a part of God’s original plan, but because of sin, “all creation was subjected to God’s curse” (Rom 8:20). But to counter the consequences of our waywardness, God enacts a plan of redemption which culminates in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. His righteous sacrifice breaks the power of the curse and makes a way to restore God’s purposes: “he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed” (Isa 53:5). God has always desired health for us. He declares his intent, “I will take away sickness from among you, and none will miscarry or be barren in your land. I will give you a full life span” (Exo 23:25-26 NIV). He affirms, “I am the LORD who heals you” (Exo 15:26). It is God who “forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. He redeems me from death and crowns me with love and tender mercies” (Psa 103:3-4). Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross makes all of this possible. Because of him all people who at one time lived alienated from God can look forward to healing in the present and a future in which “God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Rev 7:17; 21:3-4).

• God’s ministry of healing is multidimensional: physical, spiritual, emotional, mental, relational, social. It is seen wherever the consequences of sin – both personal and corporate – are overcome and God’s original intent is restored. God not only wants to heal individuals, but also “to heal the nations” (Rev 22:2).

• Forgiveness of sin is linked with healing:-

  • -  When the paralytic was lowered through the roof in front of him Jesus looked at the whole man.

    He saw his need for forgiveness and addressed this before healing him physically. Mark 2:1-12

  • -  At the pool of Bethesda Jesus healed a man who had been a paralytic for 38 years. Later

    Jesus says to him: ““Now you are well; so stop sinning, or something even worse may happen to you” John 5:2-14.This is rather blunt and right to the heart - advice that all of us need to heed. Again the implication is that healing, forgiveness and sin are tied together.

  • -  Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. Instead, fear the Lord and turn away from evil. Then you will have healing for your body and strength for your bones. Proverbs 3:7-8

  • -  There are many testimonies of people being healed physically after they confess and repent of sin. For example bitterness causes stress in the body, releasing toxins that can lead to illness, physical healing has happened when people choose to forgive. (http:// www.henrywwright.com/)

• Solomon, writer of Proverbs, knew there was a link between the heart and physical well being - A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Pro 14:30
- A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health. Pro 15:30
- Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body. Pro 16:24

- A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a broken spirit saps a person’s strength. Pro 17:22

• It is clear in the Gospels that not only did Jesus heal, he told his followers to go and heal the sick in his name, establishing his kingdom on earth.

• -  Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 10:1 (Luke 9:2, 10:9)

• -  I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12

• -  Peter and John were imprisoned for healing a crippled man in Jesus’ name. After they were released they and other believers prayed ... “Stretch out your hand with healing power; may miraculous signs and wonders be done through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” Acts 4:30 (The story of the crippled man healed continues on through imprisonment, release, prayer for healing, miracles, a building being shaken! Acts 3:2 - 4:31)

• -  Many evil spirits were cast out, screaming as they left their victims. And many who had been paralyzed or lame were healed. Acts 8:7 (Also Acts 5:16, 14:9, 28:8)

• -  Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8

• -  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. Jam 5:16

• -  See Bethel Church website for verified testimonies of healing:-http://www.ibethel.org/site/

  Meditation/Memory:
  Lower Grades: I am the Lord who heals you. Exodus 15:26 (NLT)

  A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. Matthew 15:30 (NLT)

  Middle Grades: I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. John 14:12 (NLT)

  Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results. James 5:16 (NLT)

  Upper Grades: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come. Luke 4:18-19 (NLT) - from Is. 61:1-2

  Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever. Revelation 21:3-4 (NLT)

• Download the pdf to see the above text PLUS a table of biblical references to Jesus healing.