 
Illustration. Healing The Blind Men. "Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses." Matt. 8:17. 1. What does the Lord declare Himself to be? “I am the Lord that healeth thee.” Ex. 15:26. “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases.” Ps. 103:3. 2. What was promised Israel on condition of obedience? “Thou shalt therefore keep the commandments, ... and the Lord will take away from thee all sickness.” Deut. 7:11-15. 3. When through disobedience Jeroboam's hand was withered, by what means was it restored? “And the king answered and said unto the man of God, Entreat now the face of the Lord thy God, and pray for me, that my hand may be restored me again. And the man of God besought the Lord, and the king's hand was restored him again, and became as it was before.” 1 Kings 13:6. 4. When Miriam was stricken with leprosy, how was she healed? “And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, Heal her now, O God, I beseech Thee.” Num. 12:13. 5. What mistake did Asa make in his severe affliction? [pg 649]“And Asa in the thirty and ninth year of his reign was diseased in his feet, until his disease was exceeding great: yet in his disease he sought not to the Lord, but to the physicians.” 2 Chron. 16:12. 6. How was a child restored to life by Elijah? “And he stretched himself upon the child three times, and cried unto the Lord, and said, O Lord my God, I pray Thee, let this child's soul come into him again. And the Lord heard the voice of Elijah; and the soul of the child came into him again, and he revived.” 1 Kings 17:21, 22. 7. How was Hezekiah's prayer for restoration from sickness answered? “Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will add unto thy days fifteen years.” Isa. 38:5. 8. What constituted a large part of Christ's ministry? “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people.” Matt. 4:23. 9. In doing this, what prophecy was fulfilled? “He cast out the spirits with His word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” Matt. 8:16, 17. Note.—The essence of the gospel is restoration, or healing of body, soul, and spirit. See John 3:16, Luke 4:17-19; Acts 3:19-21; Rom. 8:21-23; 1 Cor. 15:51-55. 10. In the case of the woman healed of an infirmity, what gave effect to her touch of Christ's garment? “And He said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.” Luke 8:48. 11. Before sending out the twelve, what power did Christ give them? “Then He called His twelve disciples together, and gave them power and authority over all devils, and to cure diseases. And He sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:1, 2. See Matt. 10:1, 7, 8; Luke 10:1, 9. 12. What notable miracle was performed by the apostles shortly after the day of Pentecost? [pg 650]
Illustration. [pg 651]The Great Physician. "And He healed them all." Matt. 12:15. “Then Peter said [to the lame man], Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle-bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.” Acts 3:6-8. 13. Among others, what gift has God set in the church? “And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healing, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.” 1 Cor. 12:28. 14. In sickness, what is every child of God privileged to do? “Is any sick among you? 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.” James 5:14. 15. What assurance of blessing is given to those who ask according to God's will? “The prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” Verse 15. Note.—Physical healing may not always be for our good or to the glory of God. Hence we must be ready to pray with Jesus, “Nevertheless not my will, but Thine, be done.” Luke 22:42. Paul was denied the removal of infirmity, but the Lord assured him, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” 2 Cor. 12:9. It is not a denial of faith to make use of the simple remedial means that God has given, or those ordinary essentials upon which He makes life dependent, as proper food, pure air, rest, exercise, and sunshine. We may not climb the heavenly steeps, To bring the Saviour down; In vain we search the lowest deeps, For Him no depths can drown. But warm, sweet, tender, even yet A present help is He; And faith has yet its Olivet, And love, its Galilee. The healing of the seamless dress Is by our beds of pain; We touch Him in life's throng and press, And we are whole again. Through Him the first fond prayers are said Our lips of childhood frame; The last low whispers of our dead Are burdened with His name. John G. Whittier. |
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