Reasons for Healing

  I've been asked to explain why I believe so strongly in Christian healing.  There are several reasons.  The first, as I've pointed out before, is that Jesus healed everyone who came to him in faith asking for it.  There is no record in the Scripture that he turned anyone away.  Jesus said that this was part of his mission.  In Luke 4:16-21 we have the occasion when Jesus was teaching in the synagogue in Nazareth, his home town.  He read from Isaiah:  The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has chosen me to bring good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set free the oppressed and announce that the time has come when the Lord will save his people.  Then Jesus proceeds to do just that in his ministry.
  The second is that he told his disciples to go and do likewise.  Matthew records it as (10:7-8), "Go and preach, 'The Kingdom of heaven is near!' Heal the sick, bring the dead back to life, heal those who suffer from dreaded skin diseases, and drive out demons."  Luke has Jesus sending the disciples out twice.  In Luke 9:1-5, Jesus sends out the 12.  Giving them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases, he sends them out to preach the Kingdom of God and to heal the sick.  In Luke 10, Jesus sends out 72 more men to do the same.
  The third reason is that the disciples were successful in healing people.  Mark says, "So they went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins.  They drove out many demons and rubbed olive oil and many sick people and healed them." (Mark 6:12-13).  Luke tells us about the 12, "The disciples left and traveled through all the villages, preaching the Good News and healing people everywhere." (Luke 9:6)  The 72 sent out in chapter 10 return to report (10:17), "Lord, even the demons obeyed us when we gave them a command in your name!"  Then Jesus rejoices at their success and gives praise to his Father (Luke 10:18-24).
  Three reasons are enough for today, but there are more.

  Let us pray with Jesus today the prayer of praise upon the return of the 72 (Luke 10:21).  "Father, Lord of heaven and earth!  I thank you because you have shown to the unlearned what you have hidden from the wise and learned.  Yes, Father, this was how you were pleased to have it happen."

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