“…in them is fulfilled the prophesy of Isaiah which says, ‘You will keep on hearing but never understand, and keep on seeing but never perceive, because the heart of this people has become dull – with their ears they barely hear, and their eyes they have closed, so as not to see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their heart, and do t’shuvah [turning], so that I could heal them.’” (Matthew 13:14-15, Isaiah 6:9-10) These scriptures demonstrate that when turning to God from sin, healing follows.
There are several examples of Jesus healing the sick, lame, blind and demon possessed. “Some people brought him a paralyzed man lying on a mattress. When Yeshua saw their trust, he said to the paralyzed man, “Courage son! Your sins are forgiven.” On seeing this, some of the Torah-teachers said among themselves, “This man is blaspheming!” Yeshua, knowing what they were thinking, said, “Why are you entertaining evil thoughts in your hearts? Tell me, which is easier to say – ‘Your sins are forgiven’ or ‘Get up and walk’? But look! I will prove to you that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” He then said to the paralyzed man, “Get up, pick up your mattress, and go home!” And the man got up and went home.” (Matthew 9:2-7)
This is a good illustration of the combination of forgiveness and healing. Jesus not only healed but also let those gathered around him know that he was indeed the Son of God by forgiving the man’s sin. While the healing was irrefutable, not everyone believed he had the power to forgive sin.
Jesus also healed in the synagogue on Shabbat [Sabbath]. “…he went into their synagogue. A man there had a shriveled hand. Looking for a reason to accuse him of something, they asked him, “Is healing permitted on Shabbat?” But he answered, “If you have a sheep that falls in a pit on Shabbat, which of you won’t take hold of it and lift it out? How much more valuable is a man than a sheep! Therefore, what is permitted on Shabbat is to do good.” Then to the man he said, “Hold out your hand.” As he held it out, it became restored, as sound as the other one.” (Matthew 12:9-13) Jesus healed the shriveled hand, but many of those around him, especially the leaders, were only looking for ways to find fault with him. They were unable to recognize that the Messiah was in their midst and could not only save them from sin, but heal them as well.
The apostles were given the power to heal in the name of Jesus. “There was a man living in Lystra who could not use his feet – crippled from birth, he had never walked. This man listened to Paul speaking. Paul, looking at him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up on your feet!” He jumped up and began to walk.” (Acts 14:8-10)
This amazing gift of healing is also for us today. It can be healing of the mind or heart, it can be physical healing and healing of relationships. It starts with turning to God from sin, made possible by the sacrifice of his Son, Yeshua the Messiah. “He himself bore our sins in his body on the stake, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness – by his wounds you were healed.” (I Peter 2:24)
*All scripture is from the Complete Jewish Bible. Some names in the Complete Jewish Bible have been translated to English.