To focus on Jesus, we must study his supernatural ministry and do so with two views in mind ─ 1. to receive supernatural help and 2. to give supernatural help to others.
Isaiah 53:4 and 5
Surely our griefs [sickness] Jesus Himself bore, and our sorrows [pains] Jesus carried; Yet we ourselves esteemed Jesus stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But Jesus was pierced through for our transgressions, Jesus was crushed for our iniquities; the chastening for our well-being [shalom] fell upon Jesus, and by his scourging we are healed.
Jesus’ sacrifice dealt with two distinct aspects for our wholeness ─ 1. sickness and pains and 2. transgressions and iniquities and thereby provided our total well-being [shalom]. “Shalom” includes in its definition wholeness, completeness, soundness, health, safety, prosperity, and therefore peace. “Healed” means to be made well or healthy again.
1 Peter 2:24
He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds, you were healed.
The OT reference for this verse in Isaiah 53 states “are healed”, and Peter says “were healed”. The difference is Peter was written post Christ.
The best way to gain understanding about supernatural Christianity is to study the life of our Lord Jesus who always walked by the spirit. He said, “He who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father, (John 14:12). He has gone to the Father, he did not lie, nor did he exaggerate, so we can walk as he walked in the supernatural realm.
Matthew 4:23-24 Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming [kerusso] the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people.
24 The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them.
Teaching provides detailed information to develop right doctrine. Preaching [kerusso] aligned with doctrine, but was designed to encourage faith and action. The gospel of the Kingdom includes information about King Jesus’ authority and power plus the coming Kingdom. The miracles demonstrated the Kingdom. Most of what he taught related to right behavior to enter the Kingdom.
- Teaching and preaching preceded the miracles
- Every kind of disease and sickness, no limitations
- They came to him obviously with faith that he could heal
- No requirements for the healing or deliverance other than faith
- No one was turned away
- Faith in Jesus as the healer and Messiah was amplified by the miracles
Matthew 8:16-17 When evening came, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed; and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were ill.
17 This was to fulfill what was spoken through Isaiah the prophet: “HE HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES AND CARRIED AWAY OUR DISEASES.”
- Demonization was considered one of many things that afflicted people (no shock or drama connected with it).
- Jesus cast out spirits with a word; no big deal
- He healed all; no one was turned away regardless of their spirituality or morality. No questions asked; if they came to him, he got involved.
- They came to him indicating they had faith he could heal.
- Deliverance from demons and illness are part of what is stated in Isaiah 53:4.
Matthew 9:35 Jesus was going through all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
- Jesus had and has the ability to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness, whatever is/was wrong, even if seems to be incurable.
- Matthew 4:23-24 says the same thing. So, in between these two summary statements, he taught The Sermon on The Mount. Basically, he taught stay unentangled from the world, avoid conflicts, live lovingly, trust God, seek His Kingdom, keep your nose out of others’ business…. If we want to live a supernatural life, we must shun the carnal lifestyle.
Some conclude that the healings and miracles were unique to Jesus proving he was the Messiah and therefore we should not expect to do the same. The first conclusion is indeed true with Scriptures supporting it to be so.
John 20:30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; But these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.
Acts 2:22 Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know
Hebrews 1:3 And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power.
However, Scripture disproves the latter conclusion.
John 14:12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.
Mark 16:17-18 “These signs will accompany those who have believed: in My name they will cast out demons, they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will pick up serpents, and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover”
Jesus is the prototype of walking by the new nature. We are to follow his example, not just morally, but also spiritually.
Matthew 15:30-31 And large crowds came to Him, bringing with them those who were lame, crippled, blind, mute, and many others, and they laid them down at His feet; and He healed them.
So, the crowd marveled as they saw the mute speaking, the crippled restored, and the lame walking, and the blind seeing; and they glorified the God of Israel.
- Crowds came to him. He was out and about teaching and preaching, but they came to him.
- God was glorified as a result of these supernatural healings. Jesus was not glorified.
- Because thousands (4,000 men) came to him, the healings took 3 days. His manner of healing was to lay hands on each one. (Luke 4:40)
- He had compassion on the people without self-centered concern.
- Where did the selflessness, strength, endurance, focus, patience come from?
Mark 1:32-34 When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed.
And the whole city had gathered at the door.
And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.
- This is at Peter’s house. The whole city gathers at his door.
- When someone was healed, word spread like wildfire because everyone is sick or knows someone who is.
- The healings were like a calling card, getting people’s attention; they served as an invitation. Discipleship was also needed.
- He controlled the demons, not the other way around. They knew who he was and the power he had.
- We have absolute authority over demons; they must obey.
- People came to him. They will also come to us if we have faith.
Mark 3:9-11 And He told His disciples that a boat should stand ready for Him because of the crowd, so that they would not crowd Him;
for He had healed many, with the result that all those who had afflictions pressed around Him in order to touch Him.
Whenever the unclean spirits saw Him, they would fall down before Him and shout, “You are the Son of God!”
- Demons knew exactly who he was, and they feared him. If we walk with the same faith, their response will be the same; however, they may try to intimidate us so we fear.
- Demons never challenge his authority over them. The disciples were surprised when the demons were subject to them, according to Luke 10:17-24.
- Touching him worked for healing which signifies he did not need specific revelation to heal and that faith alone is required.
- “Idumea” is the Greek name for Edom, which along with Tyre and Sidon were Gentile nations.
- He healed many people that had faith.
- Jesus’ actions inspired by God indicate willingness to help any and all.
- The selflessness of Jesus is off the charts. Philippians 2:1-20
Mark 6:53-56 When they had crossed over they came to land at Gennesaret, and moored to the shore.
When they got out of the boat, immediately the people recognized Him,
and ran about that whole country and began to carry here and there on their pallets those who were sick, to the place they heard He was.
Wherever He entered villages, or cities, or countryside, they were laying the sick in the market places, and imploring Him that they might just touch the fringe of His cloak; and as many as touched it were being cured.
- Everywhere he went, people came for healing. He had no free time.
- Just touching him was enough. People had faith that he was the healer.
- Jesus did not need special revelation to heal these people. They took their healing from him.
- Faith built for the whole community because word spread.
- There were no requirements for the healings other than faith.
Luke 4:40-44 While the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and laying His hands on each one of them, He was healing them. 42 When day came, Jesus left and went to a secluded place; and the crowds were searching for Him, and came to Him and tried to keep Him from going away from them.
43 But He said to them, “I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, for I was sent for this purpose.”
44 So He kept on preaching in the synagogues of Judea.
- Remarkably, he laid hands on each person. They each received personal attention. Laying on of hands demonstrates compassion, tenderness, unity, connection, and godly love.
- He was at it all night again.
- He had untiring giving of self to love others.
Luke 5:15-16 But the news about Him was spreading even farther, and large crowds were gathering to hear Him and to be healed of their sicknesses.
But Jesus Himself would often slip away to the wilderness and pray.
- He was a man of great energy.
- God was his refuge, that is a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit of danger or trouble. He went to Yahweh for strength and peace and relief.
Luke 6:17-19 Jesus came down with them and stood on a level place; and there was a large crowd of His disciples, and a great throng of people from all Judea and Jerusalem and the coastal region of Tyre and Sidon,
18 who had come to hear Him and to be healed of their diseases; and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were being cured.
19 And all the people were trying to touch Him, for power was coming from Him and healing them all.
- The people came to him, indicating their faith.
- There is not one single record of Jesus turning anyone away. He healed all.
- He did not qualify anyone to be healed. The only requirements were you had something wrong with you and faith that Jesus could heal you.
Luke 7:20-22 When the men came to Him, they said, “John the Baptist has sent us to You, to ask, ‘Are You the Expected One, or do we look for someone else?'”
At that very time He cured many people of diseases and afflictions and evil spirits; and He gave sight to many who were blind.
And He answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you have seen and heard: the BLIND RECEIVE SIGHT, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, the POOR HAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.
- The signs and miracles were proof that Jesus was the Christ.
- John knew the prophecy of Isaiah 61:1-3, and Jesus’ actions confirmed he was the one. The reason part of the verse is all caps is that it is quoted from Isaiah 61.
Luke 9:10-11 When the apostles returned, they gave an account to Him of all that they had done. Taking them with Him, He withdrew by Himself to a city called Bethsaida.
But the crowds were aware of this and followed Him; and welcoming them, He began speaking to them about the kingdom of God and curing those who had need of healing.
- Our Lord is truly amazing with extraordinary love and commitment. He was totally selfless. How did Jesus do all that he did?
John 5:19 and 30 Therefore Jesus answered and was saying to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, unless it is something He sees the Father doing; for whatever the Father does, these things the Son also does in like manner.
30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.
Jesus did not do it on his own, rather the Father directed and empowered him to do what he did.
Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Nazarene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through Him in your midst, just as you yourselves know.
Acts 4:29-31 – They understood how God worked with Jesus and how He would work with them. Their confidence was not in their own ability, rather in the working of God in and with them.
Acts 5:12-16 They mimicked Jesus. They did what they saw him do repeatedly. They had simple faith.
Acts 6:8; 8:5-7; 10:38; 15:12 – God worked with those who had the faith.
1 Corinthians 2:4-5; 2 Corinthians 12:12; Hebrews 2:3-4 – God has not changed nor has Jesus
The verses to contemplate and memorize that provide good focus to build faith regarding the supernatural are Acts 4:29-31.
29 “And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence,
30 while You extend Your hand to heal, and signs and wonders take place through the name of Your holy servant Jesus.”
31 And when they had prayed, the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak the word of God with boldness.
