Posted on 07/17/2025 5:27:02 AM PDT by metmom
“‘. . . as a testimony to them’” (Matthew 8:4).
Christ’s miraculous healings were significant in His earthly ministry. They displayed genuine concern for human need and testified that He was God. But several times Jesus stated, “Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Get up and walk’? But so that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins” (Matt. 9:5–6; cf. Mark 2:9; Luke 5:23). The healing miracles simply illustrated the cleansing of sin, which was Jesus’ primary purpose within God’s redemptive plan.
Curing leprosy was an especially powerful illustration, because its physical destructiveness parallels sin’s spiritual destructiveness. The Lord’s healing of leprosy restored people to human fellowship, just as His cleansing of sin restores them to divine fellowship.
The church today often fails to confront individuals with the horrible destructiveness of their sin. Instead of “coming to Christ” by making an emotional, feel-good decision, people need to realize their sins and bring them to God for cleansing. True conversion occurs when, like the leper, sinners confess their need and humbly seek His restoration. Like the leprous man, sinners flee to Christ as their only hope for rescue from their helpless condition of lostness.
Paralleling the healing again, Jesus’ first requirement for new converts is their obedience to His Word. Only after demonstrating a new life of righteousness can they give proper testimony to what the Savior has done.
Ask Yourself
Is it fair to say that sinfulness is often a precursor to sickness?
There is certainly no universal answer to this question, but how can you use times of limitation, weakness, or confinement to let God examine your heart and deepen your desire to follow Him?
Studying God’s Word ping
Thanks for keeping his legacy alive.
You’re welcome.
Just to be biblically clear, Jesus healed people physically and still does today through us as believers. We shall lay hands on them and they shall recover. Accepting Jesus Christ as your lord and savior heals you from sin. It sets you free from sin. You are healed by his stripes that he took on our behalf and removed all sickness and disease from us. We are called to receive and believe that truth. Anybody that believes sickness or disease remains or that healing is only just our sin is not standing on the truth of the word of God
Related somewhat is the verse
“A wicked generation asks for a sign! But none will be given except the sign of the prophet Jonah. Just like Jonah spent three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will spend three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Like you mentioned the other day, the “healing ceremonies” today do not come close to the healing ministries of the new testament church’s early days.
Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
Our pastor recently had a stroke and was laid up for a period of time. He says that was the best thing that ever happened to him. He had to press closer to God than he has ever done before.
I know a pastor who spent a month in jail for contempt of court for being involved in the pro-life movements.
He said the same thing.
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