Touched by Grace - the Healing Miracles of JesusSýnishorn

The Holistic Touch

Matthew 8:14-17 tells us that Jesus healed many people. One of those people was Peter’s mother-in-law. She was sick in bed with a high fever. Jesus entered the house and “touched her hand, the fever left her. Then she got up and prepared a meal for him.”

In context, Jesus was invited to Peter’s home, and immediately upon touching her hand, her fever leaves her. Her immediate healing provides hope to her family, demonstrating Jesus’ power to restore full health and bring well-being to their lives. He restores her ability to serve and participate in her family and community, reflecting His compassionate desire for wholeness.

You’ve heard it said many times that Jesus sees the whole picture of our lives. In this case, it’s evident that His touch is often restorative, bringing people back into community and normalcy, thus restoring her dignity. Jesus’ touch suggests the holistic nature of His ministry.

This also gives us a beautiful example to follow. Peter’s mother-in-law’s response was also immediate. She jumped out of her bed and prepared a meal. She wasted no time serving Jesus and His disciples a meal and expressed her gratitude in a very practical way. We should also look for ways to serve others and bless those who touch our lives.

That same evening, more were healed, many who were demon-possessed. Jesus cast out the demons with a simple command. However, it’s noted that Jesus didn’t actually touch the demon-possessed but pronounced deliverance. Not touching them reveals a conscious decision not to make contact with what is essentially unclean or evil according to its nature. This was a New Testament exorcism.

Matthew shows the Son of God as One not having anything to do with evil, while, nonetheless, bringing deliverance to those under such turmoil. Jesus’ kingly nature is shown here as He spoke a word, and evil spirits fled His presence. (v.16) Jesus has authority over all the evil powers and all earthly diseases.

Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world. But looking at the bigger picture, we believe Jesus has conquered all sin and evil. There will be a day when all sin will be extinguished, and there will be no more sickness and death. Jesus’ touches are a foretaste of the holistic healing we will one day experience in God’s Kingdom.