MATTHEW 8:16-17: “That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.” NLT
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OBSERVATION: Does Jesus still heal today? Is healing in the atonement? Can we walk in Divine Health? These are questions that have been debated ever since Jesus ascended into heaven. Entire denominations have been created over these questions. And, amid a worldwide pandemic, it is an important question to ask!

When I was in college I chose this topic as a term paper. The title was – “Is Healing in the Atonement?” The requirement was a ten-page paper. I wrote 100 pages and barely even scratched the surface of this topic. I only dealt with the theological basis of this question and never even began to address the practical application. In this short devotional thought I cannot even begin to develop this thought, so let me state my conclusion of the matter.

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

Many people see Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross as the offering only for our sins. They relegate everything else to our lives in heaven. Yet, Matthew, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, and in conjunction with Jesus casting out demons and healing every sickness, quotes from the Prophet Isaiah,

• “This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said, “He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.”

Sickness and disease did not exist before man’s fall into sin. Death, and everything associated with it, came from sin. When Jesus came to proclaim the Kingdom of God, when He died for us on the cross, when He cried “It is finished,” this included not only our redemption from sin, but also all of its consequences. If Jesus still forgives sin today, then…

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

The thorny questions arise once we finish proclaiming this truth. If this is true – then why isn’t everyone healed? If this is true – then why have dear saints of God died from Covid-19? If this is true – then why do I still battle with physical sickness in my personal life?

The books that debate this question are endless. Remember, this is a devotional thought and not a treatise to prove or answer any of these points. I have some thoughts about all these questions. However, I know that in reality, my thoughts do not change the bottom line. My personal experience, or the experience of others, does not change the fact.

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

I am blessed to be a part of a fellowship of believers that proclaim the wonderful truth.

• “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭13:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We believe that Jesus is our Savior, Baptizer in the Holy Spirit, Healer, and Soon Coming King! Jesus never changes. The works that He did as He walked this earth are the works He is still doing through His church today! If Jesus still saves, and there is no Bible-believing follower of Christ who would disagree with this statement. If this is true, then…

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

My problem is that I want to control every aspect of this truth. I want healing to flow the way I expect it to. Like Naaman, I want the prophet of God to lay his hands upon me so I can be miraculously healed. I don’t want to bathe 7 times in the muddy Jordan river! If I could call the shots – every healing would be instantaneous, miraculous, and the result of following a prescribed methodology. And, herein lies the problem.

I believe there is not one of us alive today who has the wisdom or humility to be entrusted with all the healing power of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, in His wisdom, included healing as a gift of the Holy Spirit as He poured out His Spirit upon the church. The supernatural gifts of I Corinthians 12 are not resident gifts. They are given, as God determines, to accomplish His will on this earth. We cannot simply go to the hospital down the street and heal everyone there. We must be led by the Spirit of God as His instrument of healing.

As we are led by the Spirit we can walk in the supernatural power of God. We discover that we cannot heal anyone. It is the Lord Jesus Christ, living in us and through us, that alone has the power to heal. We do not control the gifts of the Spirit at our will – we simply cooperate with them as the Spirit leads. We are called to lay hands on the sick. Yet, we are also counseled to lay hands on no one presumptuously. The gifts of healings, flowing from the completed work of Jesus Christ on the cross, are still for the church today!

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

So how do we steward this truth? We listen to the still small voice of the Holy Spirit. We proclaim the truth of God’s Word. We lay our hands on the sick and pray for their healing. We receive God’s gift of medical science and care as one of His instruments. We walk in faith and assurance knowing that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, we leave the method, timing, and final results to the Lord Jesus Christ!

Recently, a dear pastor friend reached out to me for prayer for his church and ministry. Many had been hit with Covid. To make matters worse, no one is allowed to visit the sick in the hospitals to lay hands on them and pray. As I pondered on this situation, I felt led by the Lord to suggest that he lay hands on the family members and pray for the healing of those in the hospital. We cannot allow the present circumstances to dim our faith and to dissuade us from our call. Our proclamation and our actions must reflect the truth…

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

Lord, this morning as I write these thoughts, my prayers are extended to all those who are battling sickness today. I pray for Your healing hand to reach them at their point of need and raise them up. I pray for Your protection over our loved ones and family members from this virus. Increase my faith today. When we face sickness – let our eyes look toward Your cross and proclaim…

JESUS STILL HEALS TODAY!

In Jesus Name!