Spiritual Healing

Spiritual Healing

The Pharisees . . . asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with such scum?”

Jesus . . . said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do.” Then he added, “Now go and learn the meaning of this Scripture: ‘I want you to show mercy, not offer sacrifices.’ For I have come to call not those who think they are righteous, but those who know they are sinners.”

Matthew 9:11-13

Jesus told him, “I entered this world to render judgment—to give sight to the blind and to show those who think they see that they are blind.”

John 9:39

Have you ever considered how amazing it is that our bodies can heal? Cuts mend, colds go away, and cancer can go into remission. But there are some sicknesses that people do not heal from without a miracle. This was especially true in the time of Jesus—long before antibiotics and other medications. So when Jesus healed someone, it got people’s attention!

But Jesus wasn’t trying to impress people with his ability to heal their bodies. He wanted them to see that the same power that enabled him to heal their bodies enabled him to heal their souls from the sickness of sin. And while the miracles Jesus performed revealed his love and compassion for hurting people, the greater purpose of each miracle was to show a picture of a deeper spiritual reality, a more significant spiritual power.

When Jesus healed a person from the skin disease leprosy, it illustrated his power to heal us from the crippling nature of sin. When he gave sight to those who were blind, he showed he could cause people with spiritual blinders to see God for who he is. When he cast out demons, he showed his power to rid us of our dominating sins. When he healed the woman with a bleeding problem, he showed that he can make us whole and clean. Through his miracles of physical healing, Jesus showed he can heal it all.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

When your body heals naturally, would you say it’s a miracle? Why or why not? When a doctor is involved in helping your body heal, would you say it’s a miracle? Why or why not?

Why do we tend to value physical healing more than spiritual healing?

Have you experienced a healing of your body or your soul, or is there a particular way you want God to heal your body or soul?