Biblical Basis for Healing

Biblical Basis for Healing “Healing the sick is a benefit of the atonement by which hurting men are set free from physical bondage.” Healing, like sal...
Author: Marsha Blair
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Biblical Basis for Healing “Healing the sick is a benefit of the atonement by which hurting men are set free from physical bondage.” Healing, like salvation, has been provided for in the atoning work of Jesus on our behalf. In His death and resurrection, Jesus completely triumphed over satan the kingdom of darkness. 1 John 3:8 says that Jesus came “for this purpose, to destroy the works of satan”. These include and are not limited to: •

Sin



Sickness, disease



Guilt, shame, fear, anxiety, condemnation



Demonic oppression physically, emotionally, spiritually



Curses and demonic activity

One word for “salvation” used in the NT that is connected to healing is the word “sozo”. The word “sozo” is used more than 110 times in the New Testament. It is a Greek verb or action word meaning: to be saved or rescued out from under Satanʼs power and restored into the wholeness of Godʼs order and well-being… The gospel of the kingdom of God is not good news if there is no solution for the issues we face.

Origin of sickness, disease and death “12

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this

way death came to all people, because all sinned—“ Romans 5:12 A. Sin was the original cause of death and sickness in the human experience. Sickness and disease are simply immature forms of death, meaning they have the same sourcesin and disconnection from the source of life. B. There are 2 main causes of sickness and disease, but both fall into the jurisdiction of the enemy

a. Natural: caused by viruses, bacteria, lifestyle and injuries etc b. Demonic: caused by a spirit or a curse [see in the gospels how Jesus dealt with spiritual roots to physical causes: Matt 8:16-17, 9:32-34, 12:22, Mark 9:14-29, Luke 4:40-41, 8:2, 13:10-17] Mute man healed, blind and mute man healed, deaf and dumb spirit, spirit of infirmity C. Biblically, sin can give an avenue for the enemy to oppress us with physical issues. In the gospels Jesus forgave people of sin prior to or connected to their healing. [Matt 9:2, John 5:14] This is the context of the question from the disciples in John 9 as they inquired who sinned that the man was born blind. Jesus corrects them and told them it was not because of personal sin, but for the glory of God to be displayed.

Hindrances to Healing If we know that it is Godʼs will to heal, yet some are sick what is our conclusion? It is Godʼs will that all be saved, yet some are not saved, what do we do with this? We must understand the role of our responsibility in agreeing with Godʼs will to manifest in the earth. There are at times hindrances to healing. These are not concrete blanket statements, but can be factors in the equation of why we donʼt always see Godʼs provision of healing in our lives 1. Unforgiveness, resentment, bitterness, anger etc [Matt 6:14-15, 18:35, Eph 4:26-27] 2. A curse: spoken, written or an incantation by a witch[doctor]. Must be properly dealt with and broken 3. Generational problems: generational iniquity or infirmity, certain illnesses of sickness that is dominant in family 4. Faulty theology [beliefs about God]: believe that God doesnʼt heal, He is the author of your condition, teaching you something, “Paulʼs thorn” etc. 5. Disobedience: continually, knowingly disobeying in a certain area gives place for darkness and the works of darkness in our lives. 6. Presence of a demonic spirit: can be the root cause of illness/ disease 7. A lack of desire for healing. [Jesus would ask certain people if they wanted to be healed] 8. False religion: the practice of witchcraft, freemasonry, new age etc.

9. An unbroken inner vow: knowingly or unknowingly people make inner vows like “I will never…”, “If this happens then…”

Healing in the Life of Jesus A. Healing was a central theme in the life and ministry of Jesus. He is our model for approaching the topic of healing. Of the 1,257 narrative verses in the gospels, 484 are devoted to describing healing. [approx. 40%]. All who came to Him for healing were healed. This must be our standard and model. [Matt 4:23-25, 9:35, 10:1, 12:15, 14:14, 34-36, Luke 4:40, 6:17-19, 9:11, Acts 10:38] B. Jesus healed people in various ways and under various circumstances. At times He healed in response to the individualʼs faith, other times it was the faith of another. Sometimes He healed with a command from a distance, other times He touched them. Some of the healings occurred because of deliverance from a demonic spirit, others it was just a physical infirmity. Some of the people He commanded to do something and they were healed in the process, others He used an unusual method to heal them. The point of this is to illustrate that Jesus did not have a structured pattern that produced healing, but a connection to the Father and He did what He saw and heard. [John 5:19-23]

Why did Jesus Heal the Sick? 1. To demonstrate and fulfill the will of the Father A. Jesus reiterated throughout His ministry that He was “sent” and He came to do the Fatherʼs will. [John 5:36, 6:37-38, 7:33, 12:49-50] B. We can conclude from the accounts of the gospels that healing is the will of God. If Jesus only did what He heard and saw from the Father, and He healed all who came to Him, we can conclude that it is Godʼs will for all to be healed. [we must include in this that much of what we see in the earth is in conflict with the known will of God, therefore we cannot reduce His will to our experience or understanding] C. Jesus is perfect theology and demonstrates the heart of God. Therefore, His earthly life is a window into the unchanging heart of God for us now. [Exodus 15:26

the covenant name of the God who heals, Psalm 103;1-3: the promised blessing of Godʼs healing] 2. He responded to those who sought Him or asked Him for healing A. There are many accounts of this in the gospels, but here are four familiar accounts: centurionʼs servant [Matt 8:5-13], Jairusʼ daughter [Mk 5:22-24, 35-43,], a leper [Matt 8:2-3], all who came because of His preaching [Luke 4:40] B. We can conclude that when we come to Him we can be confident of His ability and willingness to heal. 3. It was a demonstration and validation of His identity as Messiah and the Son of God. A. Luke 7:18-23: Jesus connects the signs of healing and deliverance as a validation of His identity B. Luke 5:17-26: another incident where Jesus uses His authority to heal to demonstrate His identity as God 4. To demonstrate the nature of the Kingdom of God A. Jesus declared that the kingdom was at hand. From that point He began to aggressively confront the works of darkness and demonstrate what the kingdom of God was like. He carried the message [gospel] and nature of the kingdom and released it upon the earth. B. In the gospels we see Jesus regarding illness as an enemy of God. i.

Luke 13:16- woman bent over for 18 years

ii. Acts 10:36-38- Jesus healed those who were oppressed by the devil [sickness] iii. 1 John 3:8- came to destroy the works of the enemy C. Luke 4:18 Jesus declares the nature of the Kingdom and the nature of His assignment Healing was central to the ministry of Jesus, the disciples He sent, and the early church in Acts.

What Did He Accomplish for us on the Cross?

4

Surely He has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed Him stricken,

smitten by God, and afflicted. 5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed. Isaiah 53:4-5 •

Borne: to raise, to lift up, to bear, to carry or take away



Griefs: means sickness, disease, anxiety, calamity, infirmity, weakness



Sorrows: anguish, affliction, pain, sorrow

Matthew then connects this prophecy of the coming Suffering Servant to Jesus and His ministry to the sick and oppressed in Matthew 8:16-17 16

When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He

cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick, 17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: “ He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.” A. We must see the cross as the place of Godʼs ultimate victory and triumph over the devil and his works. The cross is the place where the power of sin is destroyed, the authority of the devil was broken and we were given access into the kingdom of God. B. Salvation is not simply an assurance of heaven after death, but the access to the reality and power of heaven now and forever. C. Salvation touches our spirit, soul and body. Jesus desires wholeness, restoration and life in every facet of our lives. D. The cross gave us rightful access to all the blessings and desires of the Father.

Thoughts on Godʼs Heart Concerning Healing Most people have assembled their theology or opinion about healing from their own experience [or lack of], tragedy, and a worldly mindset. The biblical witness concerning Godʼs willingness and desire to heal His children is evident all throughout scripture. We must look to

His word and stand upon the truth revealed to us biblically instead of reducing our beliefs to our experience. Matthew 8:1-3 1

When He had come down from the mountain, great multitudes followed Him. 2 And behold, a

leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” 3

Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.”

Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. 4 And Jesus said to him, “See that you tell no one; but go your way, show yourself to the priest, and offer the gift that Moses commanded, as a testimony to them.”

Things to note in this key passage A. The leper asked a vital question. He understood that if Jesus was God, He was able. His main question was the willingness of Jesus to make him well again. B. Jesus answered his question and settled the issue in our hearts forever: yes He is willing and able. C. Willing in the Greek tense essentially means “I canʼt help but heal you because it is my nature to do so.” D. Jesus then touches the man considered unclean and restores his body and soul. Then He commands him to go and offer a gift to the priest, hence restoring him spiritually and connecting him back into the community of faith.

Our Confidence for Healing A. Our confidence before God is not based upon what we can do or “how much faith we have” but our stance upon who He declares Himself to be. B. Our approach before God should not be on our faith or works, but based on who He is, what Heʼs done and who He declares we are to Him. C. Our confidence is based upon a. His desire to heal b. His will to heal c. His finished work of the cross

d. His ability to heal D. Our Father is good and delights in giving us good gifts. [Matthew 7:7-11, Luke 11:9-13] He compares the corrupted nature of man, who still desires to give their children good things to the pure, undefiled perfect nature of our heavenly Father, and uses this shocking language “how much more will your heavenly Father give you good things”. If we know how to do good and give good things, how much more our perfect Father in heaven. E. Faith comes as the will of God is known and His heart is encountered. This is our priority as we stand for healing, not simply working ourselves into a frenzy quoting scripture and “saying the right phrases” but gaining revelation of His will and ways. F. Faith for healing is not upon principles or formulas, but upon the revelation of a Person and His heart and desire. It is directly connected to our understanding of the Father Jesus knew. Matthew 15:21-28 A gentile woman comes to Jesus and seeks out freedom for her daughter. In the process, Jesus places certain hurdles in her way, but she persists. In verse 26, Jesus calls healing and deliverance the “childrenʼs bread”. This essentially means that it is the provision of the children of God to receive from their Father freedom and healing. Jesus is deeply moved by her faith and her daughter is healed [iaomai: cured, made whole, healed in Greek] The key to catch is Jesus speaks of something many question if it is theirs or if God wants them to have it to childrenʼs bread, the essential nourishment to stay alive.