The Gospels record stories of Jesus’s healing as central to his ministry. They show us that Christ is intimately concerned with every aspect of our lives. He does not merely come to do a work on us spiritually, while leaving our bodies to decay. We can pray to God for our healing and have faith that he hears us. And while we may not always receive it as we like, we know that he is working all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28).
Matthew 8:14-17
14 And when Jesus entered Peter's house, he saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. 15 He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve him. 16 That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. 17 This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.”
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ In what way did Jesus take the illnesses of the people, as Isaiah says? What else does this passage from Isaiah say about Christ? (Note: Read the rest of Isaiah 53)
+ In what way does Jesus healing the crowds show him to be the Messiah?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ How does Christ healing the crowds encourage us to trust him more?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Who can you stand shoulder to shoulder with in your next step?
STUDY GUIDE [ WWW.ESV.ORG ] (optional)
+ Lev. 8:1–10:20 The Establishment of the Priesthood. The book of Exodus ends with the construction of the tabernacle (Exodus 35–40), and Leviticus 1–7 provides a manual for sacrifice in the tabernacle. Now, ch. 8 records the installation of the priesthood; ch. 9 describes the first services in the tabernacle; and ch. 10 tells about an occasion when priests did not obey the Lord’s words, and also gives instructions on worship.
+ Lev. 10:1–3 Nadab and Abihu, the eldest of Aaron’s four sons, took censers of their own, put incense in them, and offered unauthorized fire (see ESV footnote) to the Lord. That is, they did the offering in their own way instead of in the way authorized by the Lord, and for this they died. Their sin probably also involved entering—or trying to enter—the Most Holy Place (see 16:1–3, 11–17; compare Heb. 9:7) after drinking alcohol (compare Lev. 10:8–11). Aaron held his peace. He apparently agreed that God was justified in killing Nadab and Abihu for their sin.