“Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.”
Matthew 4:23 (NASB)
From the beginning, the earthly ministry of Christ was marked by two things: His consistent preaching of the gospel and His compassionate care for the people. More healing is recorded in Matthew than in any of the other Gospels. Matthew tells us about Christ restoring sight to the blind, making the lame to walk and even bringing the dead back to life. There are multiple reasons why Jesus devoted so much of His ministry to healing. First of all, His power over sickness and even death confirmed His claim of being God. Jesus is Jehovah-Rapha, He is “The God who heals”. In Exodus 15:26 He declares “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Secondly, the miracles affirmed and gave credence to the message of the Gospel. We also see the apostles exercising these “sign” gifts in the book of Acts. Thirdly, healing demonstrated the compassion of Christ towards those who were hurting and broken. Christ is near to those who are suffering and we can always trust in His compassionate care.
Questions for application…
What are some of the reasons for Christ’s healing ministry?
Who is the source of all healing?
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