Discipling the Sick.
Healing and discipling the sick has more to it than just healing the body. Jesus' goal was to heal the entire person, mind, body and soul. Jesus came not only to give man good health but also peace and perfect character. It was through all three of these things that He made people well and when we disciple the sick, that should be our goal also. When Jesus healed, He used the opportunity for implanting divine principles in the mind and soul.
with a cloth. Jesus said to them, “Loose him, and let him go.”
THE HEALING MESSIAH.
Luke 4:17-19 - “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives
And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.”
Jesus was not only sent to earth to preach deliverance but also to heal the physically afflicted. Jesus humbled Himself, became like us to take on our nature, so that He could be like us, so that He could understand us where we are.
Jesus attracted a following from the power of His love and character, because people could understand Him and because He treated people who were lacking in not only spiritual wealth, but also spiritual wealth. He took the time to reach out to these people, totally, when no one else could.
HEALING THE BODY
Our physical health and spiritual health are NATURALLY linked together. Both can be improved by the addition of good habits into our lifestyle.
JESUS HEALS A PARALYTIC.
We need to realize our sinful condition as fallen human beings has an affect on our physical health, but this should not become our focus. Neither should we focus on ourselves, our time should be spent focusing on Jesus.
Our physical bodies are not separated from our spiritual existence. When Jesus healed, He healed the whole person, physical, mental and spiritual. When Jesus healed these people He healed more than just the body, He healed the whole person. Why just heal the person physically if he was going to face eternal death anyway.
Healing The Mind And Body
There is a close relationship between the mind and the body. Afflictions of one can affect the other. Medical science has proven that many diseases of the body are a direct result of mental illness, such a depression.
On the other hand courage, hope, faith, sympathy, love, promote health and prolong life. A contented mind, a cheerful spirit, is health to the body and strength to the soul.
"A merry [rejoicing] heart doeth good like a medicine." Proverbs 17:22.
Matthew6: 32-34
For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
1 Peter 5:7
casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
2 Corinthians 4:7-10
But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed— always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.
Philippians 4:4-9
Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Meditate on These Things
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
1 John 3:20-22
For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.
The Resurrection and the Life.
In a world where death does have the finale say in everyone's life, if someone dies prematurely because of an illness, Jesus Christ has the power to resurrect them to eternal life if they put their faith in Him as the Son of God. Their are times when healing is just not the will of God for reasons no one at this point can understand. The saints of Jesus Christ will inherit His kingdom and possess eternal life.
Luke 7:11-17 - Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain. Now it happened, the day after, that He went into a city called Nain; and many of His disciples went with Him, and a large crowd. And when He came near the gate of the city, behold, a dead man was being carried out, the only son of his mother; and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the city was with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.” So he who was dead sat up and began to speak. And He presented him to his mother. Then fear came upon all, and they glorified God, saying, “A great prophet has risen up among us”; and, “God has visited His people.” And this report about Him went throughout all Judea and all the surrounding region.
God promises the gift of healing in todays church as a means for securing or leading people to the gospel.
