Sickness and Disease

In this new series, we are going to look at how the miracles Jesus performed while on Earth point to the fact that He is Lord over all. The first set of miracles we will study display Jesus’ authority over sickness and disease. There may be no better time than now to remember that Jesus is Lord over sickness, viruses, ailments, and disease. While Jesus was on Earth He healed countless people; in fact, He healed so many people that, at times, the Gospels just summarize the healings by saying that “He healed all the sick.” The first recording we have of Jesus healing is that of the Official’s son at Capernaum in Galilee.

“The official pleaded, ‘Lord, please come now before my little boy dies.’ Then Jesus told him, ‘Go back home. Your son will live!’ And the man believed what Jesus said and started home. While the man was on his way, some of his servants met him with the news that his son was alive and well. He asked them when the boy had begun to get better, and they replied, ‘Yesterday afternoon at one o’clock his fever suddenly disappeared!’ Then the father realized that that was the very time Jesus had told him, ‘Your son will live.’ And he and his entire household believed in Jesus.” (John 4:49-53)

A lack of faith will tell us that Jesus needs to be closer, to put hands on someone to heal them, but we read several times in Scripture that with a strong faith, we can see Jesus heal from what we perceive as a far distance.

The next healing is the healing of Peter’s mother-in-law. 

“After leaving the synagogue that day, Jesus went to Simon’s home, where he found Simon’s mother-in-law very sick with a high fever. ‘Please heal her,’ everyone begged. Standing at her bedside, he rebuked the fever, and it left her. And she got up at once and prepared a meal for them.” (Luke 4:38-39)

This was a catalyst for many people coming to Jesus that evening. As Luke put it in chapter 4:40, “No matter what their diseases were, the touch of His hand healed every one.” It was a very big deal that Jesus was willing to touch those with diseases, even those with leprosy. This was simply not done. If someone had leprosy, it was a devastating disease; it forced people out of their homes and away from their families, and they were considered unclean. Touching someone with leprosy would make you unclean, so they were rejected by society because of this disease—but Jesus did not reject them. 

“A man with leprosy came and knelt in front of Jesus, begging to be healed. ‘If you are willing, you can heal me and make me clean,’ he said. Moved with compassion, Jesus reached out and touched him. ‘I am willing,’ he said. ‘Be healed!’ Instantly the leprosy disappeared, and the man was healed.” (Mark 1:40-42)

In our post, Jesus, Amazed, we wrote about this next healing as it is one of only two times in all of Scripture where Jesus is described as being amazed. A Roman officer came to Jesus and asked Him to heal his servant.

“But the officer said, ‘Lord, I am not worthy to have you come into my home. Just say the word from where you are, and my servant will be healed. I know this because I am under the authority of my superior officers, and I have authority over my soldiers. I only need to say, “Go,” and they go, or “Come,” and they come. And if I say to my slaves, “Do this,” they do it.’ When Jesus heard this, he was amazed. Turning to those who were following him, he said, ‘I tell you the truth, I haven’t seen faith like this in all Israel!’ Then Jesus said to the Roman officer, ‘Go back home. Because you believed, it has happened.’ And the young servant was healed that same hour.” (Matthew 8:8-10, 13)

Again, we see that Jesus can heal without being, as we perceive it, near the person. It wasn’t just sickness and disease that Jesus healed; several times it was recorded that Jesus gave sight to the blind, voices to the mute, and strength back to the legs of the paralyzed. On more than one occasion, just the touch of the fringe of Jesus’ robe was enough to heal the sick.

“Just then a woman who had suffered for twelve years with constant bleeding came up behind him. She touched the fringe of his robe, for she thought, ‘If I can just touch his robe, I will be healed.’ Jesus turned around, and when he saw her he said, ‘Daughter, be encouraged! Your faith has made you well.’ And the woman was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 9:20-22)

“They begged him to let the sick touch at least the fringe of his robe, and all who touched him were healed.” (Matthew 14:36)

Jesus often made it explicitly clear that it was because people had faith that they were able to experience and receive Jesus’ healing. Jesus was willing and able to heal all who came to Him, even up to the moment of His betrayal, when one of His followers acted impulsively and cut off the ear of one of the men sent to arrest Jesus.

“And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, ‘No more of this.’ And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.” (Luke 22:50-51)

Jesus displayed His authority over sickness, disease, blindness, paralysis, and wounds. He healed by touching, by speaking, even through the fringe of his robe. Those who received His healing had faith that He could do it. We must have that same faith. In this time of a global pandemic, when sickness is spreading rapidly, keep your faith in the One with Authority over that sickness and the disease that stalks at night. Remember that Jesus is Lord over all.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

—Redeemed