Physical and Spiritual Healing

Jesus Did It

Jesus healed both physical and spiritual sickness. Jesus was teaching, preaching, and healing. These were the three main aspects of His ministry.

Teaching shows Jesus’ concern for understanding; preaching shows His concern for commitment; and healing shows His concern for wholeness.

Jesus preached the gospel – the Good News – to everyone who wanted to hear it. The gospel message is that the kingdom of heaven has come, that God is with us, and that He cares for us.

His miracles of healing authenticated His teaching and preaching, proving that He truly was the Son of God.

Matthew 9:1-8 (New King James Version)

So He got into a boat, crossed over, and came to His own city. Then behold, they brought to Him a paralytic lying on a bed. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you.” And at once some of the scribes said within themselves, “This Man blasphemes!” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—then He said to the paralytic, “Arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” And he arose and departed to his house. Now when the multitudes saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such power to men.

Both Kinds of Healing

Christ can heal us, not just of physical sickness, but of spiritual sickness as well. There’s no sin or problem too great or too small for Him to handle.

Jesus’ words were good news because they offered freedom, hope, peace of heart, and eternal life with God. Among the first words Jesus said to the paralyzed man were “Your sins are forgiven.” Then He healed the man. We must be careful not to concentrate more on God’s power to heal physical sickness than on His power to forgive spiritual sickness in the form of sin. Jesus saw that even more than physical health, this man needed spiritual health. Spiritual health comes only from Jesus’ healing touch.

It’s easy to tell someone his sins are forgiven; it’s a lot more difficult to reverse a case of paralysis! Jesus backed up His words by healing the man’s legs. Jesus’ action showed that His words were true. He had the power to forgive as well as to heal. Talk is cheap, but our words lack meaning if our actions do not back them up.

We can say we love God or others, but if we are not taking practical steps to demonstrate that love, our words are empty and meaningless. How well do your actions back up what you say?