Jesus is Resurrected
Read Matthew 28: 1 – 20

These passages are centered on our ultimate path to healing and conclude with the great commission to make disciples, baptizing them and teaching them to obey what Jesus had commanded. The account of Jesus’ resurrection begins with his grieving friend, Mary, who went at the crack of dawn to “look at his tomb”. She was visiting her loved one’s gravesite when what seemed a violent earthquake, was an angel of the Lord whose appearance was full of splendor and glory.  He passed along an important message that was to be shared with everyone: “Jesus, who was crucified is not here; He has risen, just as he said.”  

With the greatest event in history having taken place, you would think that the chief priests and “men of the cloth” would be rejoicing, but instead – they were scheming and devising plans for cover-up. We don’t hear of Jesus being distracted by the schemes and lies, instead we see Him focused on the goal.  With all authority of heaven and earth given to him, He charges his disciples with a great commission: “to go and make disciples of all nations”. That includes baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that he had commanded. The best part is that Jesus didn’t leave them alone, with comforting words he says: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Without this crucial event in history, we would still be slaves to sin with no means of atonement. Jesus was crucified on a cross, buried, and then raised to new life so that we can have eternal life. The gospel of Matthew is the true account of Jesus whose life and death pointed to our Father in Heaven. Everything He did was for His Father’s will and was to bring salvation to all people. The healing accounts teach us so much about a Savior that cares more about our wholeness, than just our physical healings.  Did you know that the word wholeness also means salvation?   

 Without the forgiveness of sins, we are walking around in spiritual bondage.  Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins and his resurrection leads to the ultimate healing, no matter if your physical body is ever fully restored here on earth.  Through his resurrection and the forgiveness of our sins, we have an eternal home with eternal bodies that will never fail us or need healing again.

As you heal, have you sought Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins?  If you haven’t asked Jesus to be the Lord of your life and to forgive your sins, we want to invite you to do that now.  Pray this simple prayer out loud and in your heart:

“Dear Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and need your forgiveness.  I believe you died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead.  I trust you as my Lord and Savior. Please help me to daily surrender to your will.  In Jesus name, amen.”

Questions:

1. Have you asked Jesus to forgive you of your sins?
2. What does wholeness mean to you?
3. What is Jesus calling you to do?

Serving While Grieving
Read Matthew 14: 13 – 14

Jesus had just gotten word that his cousin John the Baptist had been executed by Herod.  Upon hearing the news, Jesus got on a boat to be by himself. He used this time of grieving to seek and be alone with His Heavenly Father. As the Son of God and the Son of Man, he was grieving and needed to be comforted.

When He landed on the shore, a crowd was there to meet Him believing he could heal the sick.  Notice what he did when he saw them. He had compassion on them and met their needs. Even in his grief stricken state, He was others-focused.

Sometimes serving others while you are grieving or hurting is a great way to take the focus off of your situation for a bit.  That alone has a healing effect. 

Questions:  

1. When you have grieved the loss of someone, how did you respond?
2. Have you taken time alone with your Heavenly Father?
3. What might be the benefits of serving others while you grieve or heal?

Fixing Our Eyes On Jesus
Read Matthew 14: 22 – 32

Picture this.  You are out on a boat late at night.  The winds are whipping around you, the boat is rocking and you don’t feel safe.  Then, you see a figure walking on the water, looking like a ghost. How would you react?

Peter called out to Jesus and said, “Lord, if it is you, tell me to come to you on the water.”  That’s bold! And when Jesus told him to come, he stepped out onto the water into the miraculous.

But here’s the lesson for any of us that are healing or in a turbulent part of life;  Peter walked on water when he fixed his eyes on Jesus. When he looked at his circumstances and saw the strong winds, he lost faith and began to sink.  And who was there to catch him but Jesus?

If we focus on our illness, pain, or bad diagnosis and not the all-powerful Great Physician, our emotions and outlook will sink.  Let’s fix our eyes on Jesus who is there no matter how scary your situation.

Questions:

1. Why do you think Jesus chose to meet the disciples in this fashion?
2. As you or a loved one is battling an illness, do you naturally focus on your circumstances or God who can change them?
3. What practical ways can you begin to fix your eyes on Jesus daily?  

Reaching Out
Read Matthew 14: 34 – 36

Jesus and the disciples arrived at a small town and word spread fast that the healer was present.  People from all over brought their sick loved ones in the hopes that Jesus would heal them.

All who touched Jesus were healed.  Notice the key words in this story, all who touched. Touching required that the sick person would have to stretch beyond their comfort zone, push past the pain and reach out.  The Bible doesn’t say all the sick were healed that day, only the sick people who touched Jesus. They demonstrated an act of faith by mustering any strength they had to reach out to Jesus.  He was their Great Physician and ultimately their healer.  

Questions:

1. Have you ever felt so desperate that you’d do anything to be healed?
2. What did the ones who were healed do that was different?
3. What did you learn about Jesus in these verses?

Interrupting Jesus
Read Matthew 15: 21 – 28

In this passage, Jesus was visiting a home in the region of Tyre and Sidon. He was visiting the shore of the Mediterranean Sea, probably taking a vacation outside of Israel. The Gospel of Mark tells us that Jesus wanted to keep his presence a secret, but word got out quickly.  A Canaanite woman interrupted his solitude and finding Him begged him to heal her demon-possessed daughter. His disciples, trying to protect his time alone, wanted to send her away, but she kept persisting. Begging, pleading, interrupting, she would not give up until she had an audience with Jesus.  

Look at what she said as she knelt before him. “Lord, help me!”   This weary mom was at her wit’s end, yet she believed Jesus could heal her young daughter.  Remember that this woman refused to be put off.  

Scriptures tell us that she was not an Israelite but a Canaanite, whom the Jews called “dogs”. Even though dogs are beloved pets, there is a time and place to be fed.  Jesus tested her faith with this analogy: “It is not right to take the children’s bread and toss it to their dogs.” Her response was humble, faith-filled and acknowledged that she knew who He was, her Master. 

It was because of her great faith that Jesus healed her daughter that very hour.  

Questions:

1. How can you see yourself in this story?  Are you the woman begging Jesus? Are you one of the disciples trying to keep her away?  Can you relate to both?
2. Too many times we are asking for what we want right now on our time. How does faith play a part in being persistent? 
3. What did you learn about Jesus in this story?