Matthew 4:23-30
New Living Translat
23 Jesus traveled throughout the region of Galilee, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 24 News about him spread as far as Syria, and people soon began bringing to him all who were sick. And whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed—HE HEALED THEM ALL. 25 Large crowds followed him wherever he went—people from Galilee, the Ten Towns, Jerusalem, from all over Judea, and from east of the Jordan River.
OK, according to Matthews account, Jesus healed anyone who came to Him for healing. Does this mean He healed those who were living in sin? Is being a believer a prerequisite to being healed? Notice the things listed that He healed them from: ....whatever their sickness or disease, or if they were demon possessed or epileptic or paralyzed, HE HEALED THEM ALL. I don't see how a demon possessed person could know the Lord. And being epileptic would certainly scare people of that day, they might think they were demon possessed.
My point is: Is our faith shown by coming to the Lord to heal us of our diseases' enough, or do we need to "pray through" first? Jesus spoke to the "Woman at the well" told her how she was living, and then said..."Go and sin no more"....He had forgiven her without her even asking, because he read her eyes, felt her heart and knew she was sorry. I am sure she prayed to the Father, soon after that to forgive her, because of the guilt. (Her story can be found in John chapter 4.)
Jesus Christ did not go around advertising for a certain preacher that was coming to town that they needed to hear. He did not set up "Revivals" across the country at churches or halls. He did not advertise on the radio or TV about His "Mega Church" were "All that come will be healed". No,Jesus went to the world, and one by one talked to, and healed people everywhere. "HE HEALED THEM ALL".
Is "Healing" also "forgiving" I think so. You see when we have faith to ask God to heal us from a sickness, disease, habit, infliction, whatever, He sees our faith. You can be healed, and forgiven all in one step. No it is not like: "Try this super new wonderful elixir, it will heal you and save you with one gulp, come one come all, only 2,000 Dollars per sip" If you have the faith and trust to believe He will heal you, then you also have the faith and trust to believe He will forgive you.
Do you think any of those "ALL" that Jesus healed, thought about their sins that may have caused their afflictions? I think that they were just concerned with the pain, and suffering they were going through. They wanted relief, they wanted not to suffer anymore. Sure, there were, more then likely, those that went right back into whatever they were in to before they got sick, and got sick again. But they did not have to, that was their choice, Jesus forgave them, they could have continued following Him, and worshiping Him, and their lives would have been much different.
God is ready to forgive us, heal us, surprise us, bless us, reward us, meet any needs, ............He will do anything we "Ask or think" when we come to Him.
You do not have to change anything, just come to Him and ask Him what you need. Tell Him your hurts, your problems, tell Him your tired of trying to fix everything, you can't, but you know He can. Tell Him your sick, your hurting, your depressed, your angry. The coolest thing about God and His son Jesus, is they not only listen, they act, they care, they have the power to change our circumstances thus change us.
So does God forgive us at the same time He heals us? You answer this. I believe He does, but that doesn't mean you have to believe it. If you have the faith and trust that He can heal us, doesn't it make sense that you can also have the faith that He can forgive us? If we trust Him with a illness, that no one else it seems can do anything for, then why can't we trust Him with our lives.
If there is one thing I want to leave with you this day it is this; God cares so much for us, we cannot even fathom it. Go ahead, ask Him how much He cares, He will tell you, trust Him, He will lead you, ask for healing, He will heal you, turn over your past, present, and future to Him , He will reward you. He CARES.
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