~ Critical Factor: Healing ~
Introduction ~ In this series we will look at the four most basic physical needs for a human to survive, and how Jesus Christ satisfies the parallel spiritual needs. Then we will look at three additional critical factors related to both our physical and spiritual needs.
Physical Needs ~ According to basic physiological understanding mankind needs four basic elements in order to survive physically: water, air, food, and light. Jesus satisfies the parallel spiritual needs. Jesus is the Living Water (John 4:10-11, 7:38). Jesus provides the Breath of Life (Genesis 2:7, Colossians 1:16-17). Jesus is the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48). Jesus is the Light of the World (John 8:12, 9:5).
There are three additional critical factors necessary for physical life: rest, healing, and blood. Once again, we find that Jesus satisfies both the physical and the parallel spiritual needs. Jesus provides rest (Matthew 11:25-30). Jesus is the great healer (Matthew 4:23-25). It is only the blood of Jesus which provides true success in life not only on earth but more importantly in the life to come (Ephesians 2:11-13).
Key Scriptures ~ “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men! Let them sacrifice the sacrifices of thanksgiving, and declare His works with rejoicing. Psalm 107:19-22
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him — from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan” (Matthew 4:23-25, parallel passages in Mark 1:35-39; Luke 4:44; 6:17-19).
“But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all” (Matthew 12:15-16).
“Now it came to pass, when Jesus had finished these sayings, that He departed from Galilee and came to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them there” (Matthew 19:1-2).
“And He came down with them and stood on a level place with a crowd of His disciples and a great multitude of people from all Judea and Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who came to hear Him and be healed of their diseases, as well as those who were tormented with unclean spirits. And they were healed. And the whole multitude sought to touch Him, for power went out from Him and healed them all” (Luke 6:17-19).
“Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed. For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls” (1 Peter 2:24-25, parallel passages in Matthew 4:24,25 and Mark 3:7-12).
Comment ~ Like everything else on earth regular maintenance is required. We have looked at some of those most critical routine things such as food and water. Even while performing regular maintenance things on earth still fail sometimes and healing is required. For physical healing we turn to our medical profession. For spiritual healing the only authentic healer is God our Creator.
~ Robert Lloyd Russell, ABUNDANT LIFE NOW blog.
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