People in Need of Healing
Jesus’s ministry of healing is a central theme in the Gospel of Mark. Mark records more miracles of healing than any of the other gospels, and he often uses these stories to illustrate Jesus’ compassion, power, and authority. One of the most striking things about Jesus’s healing ministry is that he crossed all boundaries. He healed people of all ages, races, and genders, and he healed people with a wide range of illnesses, from physical disabilities to mental disorders. He even healed people who were possessed by demons. Jesus’s healing ministry was also notable for its immediacy and effectiveness. He often healed people with just a touch or a word. We see this in Mark 1:29-31, Jesus heals Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever by taking her hand and raising her up. And in Mark 2:1-12, Jesus forgives and heals a paralyzed man who is lowered through the roof of a house. In addition to his physical healing ministry, Jesus also healed people spiritually. He forgave sins, cast out demons, and gave people new life. In Mark 2:14-17, Jesus calls Matthew to follow him, and Matthew responds by leaving everything behind and following Jesus. This is a clear example of spiritual healing, as Matthew is transformed from a tax collector to a disciple of Jesus. Jesus’s healing ministry was a sign of the coming kingdom of God. When Jesus healed people, he was showing them a glimpse of the new world that he was bringing about. A world where there is no more sickness, pain, or death.
Caleb McCaughan, Our Promised Hope: People in Need of Healing
Discussion Questions:
- What does Jesus’s act of healing teach us about his character?
- What does Jesus’s act of healing teach us about the kingdom of God?
- How does this help us share the hope of Jesus Christ with the world?
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