Some Thoughts on Healing

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them. Great multitudes followed Him—from Galilee, and from Decapolis, Jerusalem, Judea, and beyond the Jordan. Matthew 4.23-25

• Jesus' message was about the Kingdom of God, not healing. (23)
• He healed every kind of diseases and illness with no exceptions. (23)
• Word of this spread and many sick people began to follow Jesus. (24)
• Jesus healed everyone. (24)
• Large crowds followed Jesus. (25)

Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess yourtrespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. James 5.13-16

• Prayer should be our constant activity and attitude. (13)
• For healing...

1. Call the elders of the church. (14)
2. Pray over the sick. (14)
3. Anoint the sick with oil. (14)
4. Pray in the name of the Lord. (14)
5. Pray in faith. (15)

• Results...

1. Sick will be healed. (15)
2. Sinner will be forgiven. (15)
3. Earnest prayers will produce results. (16)

Miscellaneous Thoughts and Questions...

• Not everyone gets healed...
• Aren't healing people/ healers a little bit weird?
• Why should we consider healing?
• What is the relationship between faith and healing?
• Didn't healing end at the end of the Apostolic Age?
• "This is my body, broken..." (cf. Isaiah 53.5)
• What should I think about some of the practices of healers?
• Does healing prayer always include touching/ laying on hands?