HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in LukeSample

“And They Had Nothing To Say.”

Jesus had been invited to a Pharisee’s home to eat on the Sabbath. But that’s not the only reason he was invited there. This passage says that there was a man there who obviously had an ailment, swelling of his body. It’s possible that, yet again, the religious leaders were trying to set Jesus up to violate the law of keeping the Sabbath Day holy. Notice how Jesus was consistent in His actions by addressing the physical condition of the man in His presence, even though He was only invited there for a meal. Once again, He questioned those in attendance about healing on the sabbath. Jesus continuously invited those around Him to learn the true principles of His Kingdom. Yet the leaders’ calloused hearts were not receptive to His truths.  

When Jesus substituted the leaders’ own children in the place of this sick man (or even the leaders’ animals) and asked if they would help them on the Sabbath,  no one had anything to say. They knew in their hearts that the right thing to do would be to help their child and/or their ox regardless of what day it was! Jesus wanted them to understand the ultimate purpose of this commandment. Keeping the Sabbath holy was for the people’s rest and for worship, not to prevent helping someone in need. Helping others can be considered a beautiful form of worship.  

Jesus took hold of the man, healed him, and sent him on his way. This man certainly received a great benefit from Jesus’ teaching that day. Jesus consistently healed those with needs, always with the purpose of spreading the goodness of the attributes of His kingdom.

QUESTIONS:

1. Am I relying on a set of rules or a relationship with Jesus to set me free?
2. Do I believe Jesus wants me well?
3. Did Jesus ever tell anyone that healing was based upon anything other than faith/belief?