The Lord Who Heals Youনমুনা

HEALED AND FORGIVEN

Luke 5:17 Now it happened on a certain day, as He was teaching, that there were Pharisees and teachers of the law sitting by, who had come out of every town of Galilee, Judea, and Jerusalem. And the power of the Lord was present to heal them. 

Verse 17 states ‘and the power of the Lord was present to heal them’. ‘Them’ in this passage relates back to the Pharisees and teachers of the law that were mentioned, those who opposed Jesus. Jesus actually wanted to manifest Himself to them. He didn’t reject them; He wasn’t withholding from them but they didn’t receive any healing because they were too busy sitting back challenging God.

We don’t stand back and critique God like He is a performer or challenge Him as to why certain things haven’t happened. He is God, perfect and good in all His ways, and He calls us to believe Him, even though that can often be a challenge in the face of our circumstances. 

In the story, four men then bring their paralysed friend to Jesus, breaking through the roof of the house when they couldn’t get close enough to Him. These men stand in contrast to the religious leaders, with their passion to reach Jesus with their friend and His response in verse 20 is, ‘When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.”’

After discerning the criticism in the hearts of the religious Jesus states in verse 23, ‘Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’? 

The release of forgiveness brought healing with it. This is in no way to suggest that a person’s sickness is due to a sin but as sickness originally came into the earth through sin, God has dealt with them together throughout Scripture and ultimately, in the Atonement, the finished work of the Cross. Forgiveness and healing are part of the same salvation in Jesus.

Again, we are all on a journey of learning to appropriate what Jesus has provided for us but can I encourage you to daily come to Him, let His truth fill your heart; let it encourage you, illuminate God’s nature and will to you, reveal His magnificent salvation and bring His healing power.