HEAL - God's Heart for Healing in MatthewSample

The Faith/Miracle Connection

Calloused hearts are at the core of this passage. Jesus explains why he preaches in parables speaking words from Isaiah’s prophecy:

“For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.”  

Matthew 13:15

Jesus mentions the multi-factors involved in true understanding of the gospel, eyes, ears and heart. Healing was brought forth from a heart of faith and belief - Jesus was later preaching in his hometown of Nazareth, but people couldn’t wrap their minds around the fact that this son of the local carpenter could perform miracles. In fact, it says they took offense at him. And because of their lack of faith, Jesus did not do many miracles there.

There is a strong connection between our faith and healing. God even says in Hebrews 6:11, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Where does faith come from? Romans 10:17 reminds us, “So then faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God.” 1 Corinthians 12:9 says that such faith is granted as a Gift of the Spirit.

Questions:

1.  How can a calloused heart impact healing?

2. Why do you think God puts an importance on faith?

3. Do you think you have to get more faith to produce results?