Healing the sick and raising the dead
Something caught my eye when I was reading Matthew the other day. Yes, Matthew, the first book in the New Testament of the Bible.
Jesus sent out instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand'. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.' " At which I say, "Whoa! Hold up!"
Did Jesus say what I just think He said?
Heal the sick? Raise the dead? Cast out demons? Whoa. Jesus, you must be thinking of someone else.
Do you remember who you're talking to? A bunch of fisherman, a tax collector?
"Yup."
"Huh?"
Well, why?
Because as you've freely received, freely give.
To me Jesus is saying here, "I've given to you forgiveness, mercy, miracles." "Go show others, I've given you the authority to heal, raise the dead through me. And I am still the same Jesus. I can heal the sick and raise the dead through you if you are willing."
"Huh? But Jesus, me?"
"You."
"Why?"
Maybe I will never know exactly why Jesus said these things, but I do believe this is a message we can take with us. So many times I've read scripture and had to look a second time and think "Did I read that right". Read for yourself Matthew 10:7,8
I personally have had instances of healing happen to me. I once had my throat swell up and a fever that gave me chills, I prayed and by the time I had driven home, my throat had stopped swelling. By the next morning, the fever was gone. I took no medicine.
Another instance, I had plantar warts for many, many months. Then I prayed in faith that God would heal me. And as an act of faith, I used no medicine on it. Months went by until one day, the warts were nearly gone. The next day, healed.
I can't explain it apart from the miracle of healing.
I just can't stop talking about it. God healed me.
and I'm pretty sure he wants me to heal others.
Pretty awesome stuff.
If you think I'm crazy, so be it, but I'm a rational guy who has experienced the irrational and I can't explain this apart from what I know is in the Bible and what I have seen.
God heals.
I'm excited.
I'll talk to you guys later.
Peace.
Jesus sent out instructing them: "Do not go in the way of the Gentiles and do not enter any city of the Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying 'The kingdom of heaven is at hand'. Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons.' " At which I say, "Whoa! Hold up!"
Did Jesus say what I just think He said?
Heal the sick? Raise the dead? Cast out demons? Whoa. Jesus, you must be thinking of someone else.
Do you remember who you're talking to? A bunch of fisherman, a tax collector?
"Yup."
"Huh?"
Well, why?
Because as you've freely received, freely give.
To me Jesus is saying here, "I've given to you forgiveness, mercy, miracles." "Go show others, I've given you the authority to heal, raise the dead through me. And I am still the same Jesus. I can heal the sick and raise the dead through you if you are willing."
"Huh? But Jesus, me?"
"You."
"Why?"
Maybe I will never know exactly why Jesus said these things, but I do believe this is a message we can take with us. So many times I've read scripture and had to look a second time and think "Did I read that right". Read for yourself Matthew 10:7,8
I personally have had instances of healing happen to me. I once had my throat swell up and a fever that gave me chills, I prayed and by the time I had driven home, my throat had stopped swelling. By the next morning, the fever was gone. I took no medicine.
Another instance, I had plantar warts for many, many months. Then I prayed in faith that God would heal me. And as an act of faith, I used no medicine on it. Months went by until one day, the warts were nearly gone. The next day, healed.
I can't explain it apart from the miracle of healing.
I just can't stop talking about it. God healed me.
and I'm pretty sure he wants me to heal others.
Pretty awesome stuff.
If you think I'm crazy, so be it, but I'm a rational guy who has experienced the irrational and I can't explain this apart from what I know is in the Bible and what I have seen.
God heals.
I'm excited.
I'll talk to you guys later.
Peace.
Hi David,
ReplyDeleteI too believe the word of God is living and that we live so much under what God has given to us thru His mighty awesome glorious word.
Jesus did say raise the dead and there are many accounts in the old and new testament. Even now I hear of stories.
So why do you think Jesus said to do this and why do we not see the raising of the dead a lot in our country? All of Gods word is true and its the living word of God, He is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow but somehow we Christians don't seem to get how awesome, amazing and glorious He is and what He will do Eph 3. Satan is under our feet because of what Christ has done but again we take some of His word and not all of it and we live just a little bit above our feet if you know what I mean. Gods word says He is not a man that He should lie so why don't we stir up our faith and go for all of what He says (like raise the dead)? Eph 6 says that we don't fight against flesh and blood but... and He also says that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty!
I am asking you these things for a reason but first I want to know how you really feel about my questions and what the word of God says.
God bless you,
Andrea
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteAndrea,
ReplyDeleteLet me answer your question simply: I believe that the Word of God is true. I believe that Christians have been given the power of the Holy Spirit. Christ said that we would do things greater than He did. And as my blog mentions, why would He say to heal the sick and raise the dead if we couldn't? I've never laid hands on another person and witnessed healing, but I do believe God's given me the authority to do so. I think the reason we don't see raising of the dead in America is simply because the Church in America isn't rising up in the authority God's given them to raise the dead. I hope that answers your question. Thanks for your comment.
In Luke 7:22 it is made clear that Jesus healed the sick & preached the gospel to the poor. We are to be imitators of Christ. John 14:12 reads for those who believe they will do the same Jesus did and will do greater things, because I go to the father.As Christians to believe is to get to know the Word and be a doer. Basically for the Lord to work through us, one should earnestly desire the best of the gifts as in 1 Cor.12.For those who believe further Mark 16:18 lay hands on the sick will give recovery to those that are sick, but here this is a gradual process. Go, pray and believe for immediate healings. With God nothing is impossible. Most important is that we are doers of the Word. You can also expect your prayer to be answered when you agree with one or two other persons. It is essential here that that when you pray you must agree together 100% to make such prayer fully work & effective. I would encourage anyone to get to know the Word, because wisdom is the principal thing and further it is not how much you know, but the level of your faith and be a doer. Faith without works is dead. Most important is that with every scripture you read, you must speak & hear it. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing the Word of God. At last the very most important thing I can share with you is that you ALWAYS must ask and rely on the Holy Spirit to guide you into all truth and allow Him to bring into rememberance all things He taught you. Since Jesus is us no more with us, He left with us the Holy Spirit. This is the wonderful Holy Spirit you must trust and rely on. Many of us through the ages have made the mistake by saying:" this is what the Word says or this is taken out of context and many devisions came from this. The bible has only ONE interpretation and that is the revelation of the Word through the HOLY SPIRIT and as the Holy Spirit only can & will give you!
ReplyDeleteHans Vlasveld (P)