Healing

Healing

God is still in the healing business, He wants to see His Church well and a sign to those who do not believe. The Lord decides how this is working, which is why we must always be willing to pray for one-another and for others who have an infirmity. So we will read together how the Lord is working

Luke 13:10 Now He was teaching in one of the synagogues on the Sabbath. ¹¹And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. ¹²But when Jesus saw her, He called her to Him and said to her, “Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity.” ¹³And He laid His hands on her, and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. ¹⁴But the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath; and he said to the crowd, “There are six days on which men ought to work; therefore come and be healed on them, and not on the Sabbath day.” ¹⁵The Lord then answered him and said, “Hypocrite! Does not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or donkey from the stall, and lead it away to water it? ¹⁶So ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath?” ¹⁷And when He said these things, all His adversaries were put to shame; and all the multitude rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by Him. Luke 13.10

A few key points ● Jesus saw her.

Her condition had lasted eighteen years, but she was not overlooked by the Lord. ● Jesus spoke freedom. He declared that she was loosed from her infirmity. ● Jesus laid His hands on her. He acted, and she was immediately made straight. ● Her response was to glorify God. The healing brought glory to God and demonstrated the Lord’s compassion and authority.

The Woman

This woman had suffered for eighteen years, until Jesus came on the scene and brought healing to her body. Imagine how this condition must have affected her life over nearly two decades. It would not only have affected her physically, but may also have affected her family, friendships and everyday activities.

We do not know the full extent of what she endured, but we know that her suffering was real. In this passage, the Lord identifies her condition as a spirit of infirmity. We must be wise and discern and not assume that every illness is caused by a demon or spiritual oppression. However, in this particular case, Jesus addressed the woman’s condition and brought her freedom and healing.

My Own Childhood

I can relate to living with poor health. As a child, I was often sick and spent time in hospitals, with one thing after another. Living with poor health has consequences, not only physically but also in the way you experience everyday life, a lot of time in isolation. I remember one instance as a child my stomach pained me a lot.

I thought there was a small man in my stomach hitting the walls with a hammer. In those days there was nothing about divine healing, no one came from the Church to lay hands on the sick. It was completely hidden. It was not really until my late twenties, 2 decades later that my health began to improve, and after I was born again, my general health was good.

Yet, when we read the Gospels and the Book of Acts, we see Jesus healing people and the early Church continuing to minister healing. I cannot say that I would have been healed, but will never know now. This is the main reason we should be willing to pray for one another and for those who are suffering since there are real people living in bondage who do not need to be.

Loosed From this Bond

The words of Christ we just read and this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan has bound—think of it—for eighteen years, be loosed from this bond. When the Good Lord demonstrated this healing He opened up the secrets hidden in the scriptures to reveal that it was in fact Satan through the infirmity that bound this woman.

He exposed the works of the devil and has also given us the power and authority to do likewise in His name. In

Acts 10:34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. ³⁵But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him. ³⁶The word which God sent to the children of Israel, preaching peace through Jesus Christ—He is Lord of all 37 that word you know, which was proclaimed throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee after the baptism which John preached: 38how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him

For Us Today

We should also have the same heart of compassion and mercy as Christ did and when given the chance pray for the sick, whether it be mind, body or soul. We should also be willing to do our part to let God be God, regardless of what happens and not be put off or discouraged. Faith sees the unseen not the seen.

We are also to be filled with the Holy Spirit and power for God is with us also, however we have to be willing to lay hands or pray for those who may be oppressed by the devil.

What Can We Do

The second commandment also tells us to love our neighbour as ourselves (Matthew 22:39). If we were suffering and needed healing, we would want someone to pray for us. Therefore, we should be willing to do the same for others, showing the love of Christ through our actions.

Two Examples of Healing in the Name of Jesus

1. Healing in the name of Jesus – Jesus spoke of signs that would follow those who believe, including laying hands on the sick, who would recover. Practical application: Lay hands on the sick, where appropriate and with their consent, and pray in the name of Jesus, trusting Him to work.

Say with conviction and with expectation. 2. Peter commanded healing in Jesus’ name Acts 3:6–8 Peter said to the lame man at the Beautiful Gate: “In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk.” Peter took him by the right hand and lifted him up, and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

Practical application: We can speak directly to a situation in the name of Jesus, as Peter did, while recognising that the power and authority belong to Christ. Jesus commissioned His disciples to heal the sick, and the early Church continued to minister healing in His name. We should therefore be willing to pray for the sick, act in obedience to His Word, and give Him the glory for whatever He does.

And this we all do in the power of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.