Jesus Heals The Sick - Matthew 4:23-25

Jesus Heals the Sick

23 Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. 24 News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed; and he healed them. 25 Large crowds from Galilee, the Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea and the region across the Jordan followed him.

Reflection: In this 4th chapter of Matthew, we see Jesus mainly focusing on 3 things as he seeks to initiate and inaugurate God's kingdom here on earth as it is in heaven. First, Jesus announced or preached the Good News of the kingdom. The Good News was that as people repented of a life turned in on self, and trusted in Him, they would find salvation, forgiveness and begin a new life. Secondly, he taught how to live a life as a child of God and an ambassador of the King. Thirdly, Jesus modeled how to operate in kingdom power, which today was healing all those who came to him. We call this the works of Jesus, which manifested the power of the kingdom.

You could say Jesus preached and taught the Word that the kingdom was at hand, and then brought forth the Works of the kingdom. Note three things in how Jesus operated in doing the work of the kingdom. He healed people right away. The power of the kingdom coming through Jesus left no doubt this was a supernatural divine intervention that could only come from God. Two, he healed a range of sicknesses from pain to debilitating diseases of the body and mind, to outright demon possession. He brought wholeness in body, mind and soul. Importantly this led them to faith in Jesus, in which Jesus brought them ultimate healing, the salvation of their souls. Note healing and salvation come from the same Greek word. Finally he healed all people, as they came from all areas of the known world, including Jerusalem and Judea, a multi day journey. The power of the kingdom he was manifesting attracted all people to come.

As we look at our ministries today it is easy to get caught up in all kinds of activities, but we would do well to follow Jesus' model of preaching, teaching and healing. And just maybe we will see all sorts show up for that kind of thing today.

Jesus we pray as we preach, teach and heal in the power you have given us, you draw all people to yourself through the Church which you have called us to be part of and sent us to be ambassadors of your kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Amen.

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