Day 19: The Deliverer and Miracle Worker
Matthew 8:16-17
In Matthew 8, Jesus comes back down after delivering the Sermon on the Mount. Matthew begins by recording an account of Jesus’ miracles: first healing the leper, an outcast, and then the centurion’s servant, a Gentile. Then, He healed Simon Peter’s mother-in-law. Matthew then summarizes the rest of that evening by saying many were brought to Jesus needing deliverance, and sick needing healing, and He cast out demons and healed them, on the authority of God, with just a word.
Jesus’ ministry of healing and deliverance fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy that reveals the true character of God: Messiah not only saves from the penalty of sin but brings healing physically. It shows us the substitutionary nature of Christ’s suffering. He suffered to bear our sin and our physical diseases and our spiritual bondage.
Experiencing spiritual and emotional healing through the love of Jesus personally is a beautiful process. But seeing deliverance is especially amazing. In a prayer session some time ago, I was blown away to witness powers that were present in someone ultimately submitting to the authority of Jesus through the simple, authoritative prayers of the people in the room. There was nothing showy about their faith. Deliverance came simply on the authority of Christ through His blood and Holy Spirit. He showed us that night that He alone is the One who holds all the power in the universe.
Reflection Prayer
Jesus, help me see and experience the reality that Your love and compassion are always available. The love You give is for my good—that I be made whole spiritually, emotionally, and physically. Through faith in You, help me stand firm in the promise that true healing can be experienced and shared, and that complete and total restoration can be tasted now and is my hopeful future in Your Kingdom. Give me boldness to share this reality with others today. Amen.
Week 3: Christ Our Healer
Isaiah 53:4–5
As we focus on the life of Christ, this week’s theme is Christ Our Healer. God promises healing in both aspects—physical and spiritual. At times, He provides immediate physical healing to encourage gratitude towards God, which can lead to a deeper spiritual relationship, resulting in spiritual healing. Conversely, there are instances where spiritual healing is prioritized, altering the individual’s perspective on pain, and enabling them to endure while awaiting God’s physical intervention. During His time on Earth, Jesus healed many individuals and often remarked that their faith had healed them. Therefore, it is essential to pray with expectant faith. Ultimately, it is at God’s discretion whether He grants miraculous healing or offers the grace for endurance. When Paul implored God three times to remove the thorn from his flesh, God responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, and my strength is made perfect in your weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9).
Reflection Questions
Have you or your family experienced supernatural healing?
How do you pray for an unbeliever’s healing?
How do you comfort someone who prayed for a miracle that didn’t happen?