Healing Miracles of Christ
February 24, 2020
Commentary
In chapters 8-9 Matthew records 10 miracles. The first three miracles of healing are: The leper healed – (vv. 1-4), After Jesus touched and healed the leper. He told him to go to the priest and offer the proper sacrifice for cleansing as Moses had prescribed (Lev. 14). Jesus said this would be a testimony to the priests because in the entire history of Israel there was no record of any Israelite being healed from leprosy other than Miriam.The Centurion’s servant healed – (vv. 5-13). This was the request of a Roman centurion for the healing of a servant of his. When Jesus offered to go to him the centurion said that would not be necessary for all Christ would have to do was speak and the disease would obey Him. Jesus marveled at this man’s great faith and healed his servant at that very hour.Peter’s mother-in-law healed – (vv. 14-17). When Jesus saw Peter’s mother-in law lying in bed sick with a fever he touched her and she was healed. She immediately got up from her bed and began waiting on the Lord and the many disciples who were with Him. Matthew saw this as a fulfillment of (Isa. 53:4). He bore man’s sickness and infirmities during His ministry on earth and not on the cross. In other words to say that there is “healing in the atonement” and that every believer has the right to claim it, is to misinterpret Scripture.
Application
There is no way to know if and when some dread disease like cancer might strike my body and if so I am sure I would like for the Lord to heal me. However there is no greater healing than that which was Spiritual healing when I was saved over 50 years ago.
Matthew 8:1– 17 (NET)
1 After he came down from the mountain, large crowds followed him. 2 And a leper approached and bowed low before him, saying, “Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.” 3 He stretched out his hand and touched him saying, “I am willing. Be clean!” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 Then Jesus said to him, “See that you do not speak to anyone, but go, show yourself to the priest, and bring the offering that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”
5 When he entered Capernaum, a centurion came to him asking for help: 6 “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, in terrible anguish.” 7 Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” 8 But the centurion replied, “Lord, I am not worthy to have you come under my roof! Instead, just say the word and my servant will be healed. 9 For I too am a man under authority, with soldiers under me. I say to this one, ‘Go!’ and he goes, and to another ‘Come!’ and he comes, and to my slave ‘Do this!’ and he does it.” 10 When Jesus heard this he was amazed and said to those who followed him, “I tell you the truth, I have not found such faith in anyone in Israel! 11 I tell you, many will come from the east and west to share the banquet with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven, 12 but the sons of the kingdom will be thrown out into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” 13 Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go; just as you believed, it will be done for you.” And the servant was healed at that hour.
14 Now when Jesus entered Peter’s house, he saw his mother-in-law lying down, sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her. Then she got up and began to serve them. 16 When it was evening, many demon-possessed people were brought to him. He drove out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick. 17 In this way what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah was fulfilled: “He took our weaknesses and carried our diseases.”
Illustration: Bone Stuck in Wealthy Man’s Throat
A wealthy old man of Krakow, who was a great lover of fish, was eating his favorite dish one Friday night and was almost choked by a bone in his throat. He could neither dislodge nor swallow it. His life was in grave danger. Dr. Kirschenbaum was called to save him. The doctor hurriedly arrived and found the wealthy man half dead. With the aid of a small pliers he quickly removed the bone. The wealthy man was overwhelmed with joy. “Here Doctor,” he said, “with the help of God you saved my life. How can I ever repay you?” Upon which the doctor very calmly replied: “Just give me half of what you would have given when the bone was stuck in your throat.” (Encyclopedia of Illustrations #8161).