Text: Luke 5:27-32
Jesus is sometimes referred to as “the Great Physician.” He came to heal those who are sick. In our text, He was referring to SPIRITUAL sickness (sin). But Jesus also healed many PHYSICAL ailments. These symbolized the spiritual healing He provides. In this lesson, we’re going to look at the physical ailments healed by Jesus and notice the spiritual parallels.
Physical Ailments Healed by Jesus
- Healed the blind (Matthew 9:27-31)
- Healed the deaf and mute (Mark 7:31-37)
- Healed the lame (John 5:5-9)
- Cleansed the leper (Mark 1:40-44)
- Freed the demon-possessed (Luke 4:31-37)
- Raised the dead (John 11:38-44)
- Why did Jesus heal people of these ailments? – He had compassion on them (Matthew 14:14); but more than that, otherwise He could have healed everyone and eradicated these diseases; these miracles of physical healing symbolized what He came to do for man spiritually
Spiritual Healing Jesus Provides
- Blindness – He gives SIGHT; not of the eye, but of the mind; Satan has blinded people to the truth (2 Corinthians 4:3-6); Jesus is the light (John 8:12) who shows us the way
- Hearing – Jesus made it so that all can HEAR and understand the truth; the common people heard Him gladly (Mark 12:37); we can understand for ourselves (Ephesians 3:4)
- Mute – Jesus made it so that we could SPEAK the words of God; inspired apostles (John 16:13) and inspired word (2 Timothy 3:16) enable us to speak as the oracles of God (1 Peter 4:11)
- Lame – Jesus provides the way in which to WALK so that we will not stumble (John 11:9-10); if we follow His way we will “never stumble” (2 Peter 1:5-10); the disobedient stumble (1 Peter 2:8)
- Leprosy – caused one to be labeled unclean and barred from the camp (Leviticus 13:45-46); Jesus CLEANSES us from sin (Ephesians 1:7) and brings us back into fellowship TOGETHER with God (Ephesians 2:11-16)
- Demon-possessed – Jesus FREES us from the bondage of sin (John 8:34-36); He does this as we follow the truth (John 8:31-32) and become servants of righteousness (Romans 6:17-18)
- Death – the old man was crucified (Romans 6:6) and raised a new man; this happens in baptism (Romans 6:3-4)
How to Receive the Physician’s Help
- Jesus is the Great Physician – but He will only heal you if you want to be healed AND do what is necessary to be healed
- Recognize your need (Luke 5:31-32) – Jesus did not come to call the righteous, but sinners; He did not mean that the Pharisees and scribes didn’t need Him; they did (Matthew 6:20; Romans 3:23); but if one doesn’t recognize himself as a sinner, he won’t recognize his need for a Savior (physician)
- Go to Him – Jesus offers the invitation (Matthew 11:28)
- Do as He prescribes (Matthew 11:29; Mark 16:16; Hebrews 5:9)
Conclusion
- Jesus’ miracles of healing proved that He had the power to forgive sins (Matthew 9:1-7)
- He is willing to forgive today (Acts 2:38-39; 1 John 1:9) – we must come to Him in faith and do as He prescribes
