Christ the Healer

Matthew 9:18-34

May 4, 2003

 

Each of us, to some degree, has concern for his physical well-being. We cannot separate our physical condition from our souls-and rightly so, for we are "living souls" by right of creation. The Bible places great emphasis on the future body that has a kinship with the present one but is elevated to a new status of "glorified" as a resurrected body. As Christians, we anticipate the day when healing will be unnecessary - no deformity will affect us, no disease will infect us, no illness will exist, and no demon will plague us. But that belongs to the realm of the "not yet."

 

It is helpful for us to think in two realms: the realm of the "now" and the realm of the "not yet." The "not yet" gives us a profound sense of hope and anticipation of the full inheritance provided through Christ. We must ponder the "not yet" and find encouragement to persevere as we contemplate it. Yet we live in the realm of the "now" that still has all the disease, illness, deformities, and hardships that resulted in the Fall. Everywhere that sin has touched hurt, heartache, pain, and misery covers like the dust in the early morning rays of the sun. The gospel promises us a day when God will wipe all tears from our eyes, and all sorrow and sickness and death will completely vanish. The power and majesty of Christ's Kingdom will come in full measure for every eye to see. But until the "not yet" is unfolded we continue living in the "but now."

 

In light of this, we have wonderful hints of the future - divine foretastes to whet our appetites for the "not yet." That's what our Lord was doing as He healed the diseased, raised the dead, and delivered the demonized, pointing to the consummation of His kingdom. Christ as Healer foreshadows the wholeness and completeness in the realm of the "not yet." Have you glimpsed at eternity through Christ the Healer?

 

I. The Healer

 

Does Jesus Christ heal? Certainly we know that Christ heals. We see this in the Scripture and we also have wonderful testimonies of His healing mercies through history. And in the realm of the "not yet," Christ the Healer will heal every affliction. But does He heal every affliction in the realm of the "now?" The Scripture gives us no promise or even hint that every affliction will be healed in the present. Instead, we are taught to live in dependence upon God's grace during times of affliction, to learn contentment, and to fight the good fight of faith. The nature of the present realm is that it has been affected by the corruption of sin. Even the creation itself "waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God," since the natural realm is affected by the plague of sin and corruption that entered through the Fall (Rom 8:18-25). Yet there are those occasions, even as we see in the days of His flesh, that our Lord breaks into the natural realm and reverses the course of disease and physical corruption to bring healing. That is the exception rather than the normal rule. And those times of exception are glimpses of the realm of the "not yet" - the fullness of His Kingdom rule.

 

A little later in Matthew's Gospel, some of John the Baptist's disciples asked Jesus, "Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?" John had told them about Messiah, explaining that his purpose was to serve as a forerunner of the Messiah. Now, John in prison struggled over whether or not he had fulfilled his mission. Christ's answer actually helps us to understand the nature of our own text as a Messianic declaration. "Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them" (11:3-5). In other words, when Messiah truly comes, He will provide demonstrable evidence of the "not yet" in the "now." So every act of healing and raising the dead proved that the Kingdom had come in Christ, and the days in which the Fall's effects linger are numbered.

 

Matthew sought to give a clear, reasoned explanation of the Christ as Messiah. To do this, he told a series of stories from Christ's ministry of healing and deliverance. In the process, Matthew unfolded the nature and character of Jesus Christ to his audience. And he does the same for us as we investigate our text.

 

1. His compassion

 

The Jews had long lived under the dominion of other rulers. Not since the days of the Maccabees and the early rulers in the Hasmonean Dynasty had the Jews known compassion from a king. Tyranny and abuse they knew quite well but compassion in a ruler seemed to be a complete contradiction.

 

Many people continue to live in that same threat of tyranny. We have witnessed incomprehensible acts of tyranny in the Middle East over the past few months, as well as tyrannical brutality in Africa, Asia, and South America. Even in our own nation, we have difficulty accepting the idea that governmental leaders can be compassionate because we have witnessed otherwise. Rule and compassion appear to be at odds, so we find any attempts at compassion by national leaders to be lampooned as soon as they try. A natural skepticism makes us fearful of trusting them. (We must pray for and encourage those that are seeking to show genuine compassion)

 

It is in this same kind of setting that we find Jesus Christ, the King of an Eternal Kingdom, displaying compassion. "While He was saying these things to them - that is, He was still engaging John's disciples on the subject of fasting and wineskins - a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, 'My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live.' Jesus got up and began to follow him, and so did His disciples." Jesus was right in the middle of a huge feast, and a time of great dialogue. He was busy instructing a whole house full of guests. But rather than calling for the synagogue official, whom Mark identifies as Jairus, to wait for a more convenient time, or to contact one of His subordinates, Jesus Christ leaves the feast at Matthew's house to aid this man in need. Similarly, with the "woman who had been suffering from a hemorrhage for twelve years," and with the "two blind men," Jesus Christ gladly serves their need with great compassion, giving no thought to His own needs but showing every consideration for those in need.

 

Have you weighed the compassion of Christ in your own life? Sometimes, because of circumstances that trouble us, we develop the idea that Christ has no concern for us. We might even ask, "Where is the Lord when I'm having so much trouble?" See the ways of Christ going with those in need, bearing their burdens, feeling their hurts, and applying His balm. Do you think that His compassion was only a first century act but that He lacks compassion for you today? Hear what He tells us, "Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt 11:28-29). Or as Peter expressed it, "Casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you" (I Pet 5:7).

 

2. His interest

 

Next we find that Jesus Christ showed genuine interest in needy people. The woman that suffered with the long-term hemorrhage was considered to be unclean. Levitical law deemed her to be unclean as long as she had the flow of blood, which meant that she had no rights to gather with the assembly in the temple. Everything that she touched was considered to be unclean. So in that society, no one would have anything to do with her over concern for being ceremonially unclean (Lev 15:25-29). John MacArthur explains that the stigma and humiliation of her condition was "perhaps second only to those of leprosy" [MacArthur's NT Commentaries, 80]. So horrible was her condition that the Jewish Talmud gave eleven different cures for hemorrhaging. Most of the cures were really superstitious, such as "carrying the ashes of an ostrich egg in a linen bag in the summer and in a cotton bag in the winter. Another involved carrying around a barleycorn kernel that had been found in the dung of a while female donkey" [ibid].

 

But Jesus shows great interest in this woman, who out of fear of creating a stir by making others unclean touched Jesus' garment secretly. His words to her were not those of rebuke but tenderness, calling her "daughter," a term of endearment used only in this instance by Christ for an individual lady. Others wanted nothing to do with this lady because touching her would affect their standing in the community. Truly, she would have joined us in singing "No one ever cared for me like Jesus!"

 

3. His identity

 

We also find Jesus identifying with the suffering people of Capernaum. In one brief span, Jesus eats with the despicable tax collectors and riff-raff of the community, follows a father that grieves over his daughter's death, shows compassion to a lady that others considered unclean, touches the blind eyes of two men, and liberates a demonized man. Jesus Christ came for sinners! That was the message He delivered to the Pharisees (vv. 11-13), and that was what He practiced. He bore well the title, "Friend of sinners." That is why the writer of Hebrews can proclaim, "For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin" (4:15). The very word "sympathize" literally means, "to feel together with someone." We would say that Christ gets into our skin, feels our hurts, understands our griefs, and knows our sorrows.

 

And yet, in spite of such examples and biblical assurance, some among us may wonder of Christ's thoughts for you. You know your own sin far too well! You think that surely Jesus Christ will not have compassion for you because of all the miserable things that plague your life. Take heart my friend! Christ has identified with suffering sinners through the ages, and that includes each of us. Let us find the refuge in Him that this suffering woman and the demonized man found.

 

4. His acceptance

 

Jesus Christ accepts only needy people. That's what shouts at us through this text. Jairus' twelve-year old daughter lay dead - he was needy. The woman had suffered for twelve years with bleeding - she was needy. The two blind men lived in a society that had no benefits for physical debilitations - they were needy. Jesus Christ accepted them on the basis of their need. He does not accept us on the basis of what we can do for Him or what we might add to His worth. In contrast, the Pharisees did not come to know Christ (with a few exceptions) because they would not admit that they had needs.

 

Some think that they must have perfect faith or a cleaned up life before Christ will accept them. The words of the hymnist strike the right chord, "All the fitness He requireth is to feel your need of Him" [Joseph Hart, Come, Ye Sinners, Poor and Needy]. Take for instance the woman that suffered with the hemorrhage. Why did she touch the fringe or tassel on Jesus' cloak? She kept saying over and over to herself, as the Greek expresses, "If I only touch His garment, I will get well." Most commentators think that she was superstitious, thinking that touching one of the tassels that served to remind Jewish men to obey the commandments would bring healing. She had faith, for we find Christ commending her faith, but her faith was not perfected by any stretch. It was a weak faith, and Jesus "responded to the faith that he discerned" [Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, 230].

 

Occasionally, I find myself in discussion with someone that feels that Christ cannot accept him or her. Perhaps the person has great flaws in character or has sinned greatly or lacks stable faith. We must learn something from our text. It is when you feel your need of Christ as your Lord and Redeemer that He accepts you. He welcomes broken people and suffering people.

 

5. His kindness

 

Jesus Christ shows kindness to needy people. The phrase, "take courage," that Jesus lovingly commanded of the suffering woman, shows such kindness. It is evident that she felt that all eyes were upon her once she was "caught" for her touch of faith. A lady that had likely avoided public places for twelve years, and that knew nothing of social relationships because of her physical problem, was frozen by the reality that her healing was noticed. "Take courage" - cheer up, Jesus tells her. Everything is different, now that Christ has touched her life. Even the way that she looked at herself changed because of the kindness of Christ. Ponder His multiplied kindness to you as well.

 

6. His power

 

One of the primary issues that Matthew addresses is the power of Christ over every aspect of creation. That is why he tells about Christ calming the winds and waves, walking on water, multiplying the bread and fish to feed the multitudes, healing the blind and deaf, raising the dead. Such variety in the display of His power reinforces the closing words of Matthew's Gospel: "All authority has been given unto Me in heaven and earth" (28:18). He can declare that a dead girl is only asleep, and then promptly raise her up (24-25). He can touch the eyes of two blind men and immediately they regained their sight (29-30). He delivers a man so demonized that he cannot speak, and immediately he speaks. That is why the crowds were astonished. "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." Yes, Israel had mighty prophets that commanded the rain to stop and it did for three years, and who raised the dead. But "nothing like this" was ever concentrated in one person so that throughout Israel Jesus Christ demonstrated mighty power over every aspect of creation.

 

Consider the four scenes before us. In the woman with the hemorrhage, Jesus demonstrated power over a long-standing physical disorder. No effort in ancient medicine could cure her. Nor could the superstitious remedies of the Talmud cure her. But in one touch of faith, "at once the woman was made well." Then there was Jairus' daughter, dead long enough for the professional flute-players and mourners to have invaded his home. Jesus "took her by the hand, and the girl got up." Jesus demonstrates power over death as the one that conquered death. The two blind men give occasion for Christ's power over the deformities of the human body. They cried to Jesus as Messianic King, "Son of David," to have mercy. "Then He touched their eyes, saying, 'It shall be done to you according to your faith.' And their eyes were opened." Finally, He demonstrated power over the demonized as "a mute, demon-possessed man was brought to Him." He never flinched or balked but set the man free.

 

There is every reason to believe that not only did these individuals receive healing, life, and deliverance, but also came to know Christ savingly. Only with the demonized man do we lack enough evidence to make that assertion. But it seems obvious that his friends that brought him to Christ believed. That is the whole point of the demonstrations of divine power. He that has power over disorders, death, deformities, and demons, has the power to deliver you from the curse and judgment of sin. The power that raised Jesus from the dead can also set you free from the power of sin and death.

 

7. His question

 

That brings us to Christ's question. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" That is what He asked the two blind men that sought His mercy in healing them. "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" Do you think that Christ has the power to do this, yes, but do you also believe that He has the willing ability to do this? The test of their faith in Christ came as He declared: "It shall be done to you according to your faith." In other words, if you do believe that I am able to heal you then I will heal you. Calvin makes an interesting comment at this statement: "from this declaration of Christ we may draw the general doctrine, that if we pray in faith, we will never sustain a refusal in our prayers" [Calvin's Commentaries, XVI, 418]. Faith lays hold of the ability of Christ on our behalf. Archbishop Richard Trench captures this so clearly.

 

The faith which in itself is nothing is yet the organ for receiving everything. It is the conducting link between man's emptiness and God's fullness, and herein lies all the value faith has. Faith is the bucket let down into the fountain of God's grace, without which the man could never draw water of life from the wells of salvation. For the wells are deep, and of himself man has nothing to draw with. Faith is the purse which cannot of itself make its owner rich, and yet effectually enriches by the wealth which it contains [quoted by John MacArthur, 93].

Do you believe that Christ is able to work in your own neediness? Let us not think too small of Him who has all power.

 

II. The Healed

 

We also discover some common characteristics of those to whom Christ ministered. Be assured that the same characteristics are found in those that receive from Christ today.

 

1. Desperation

 

Our society avoids the idea of desperation since it puts us into a position of great need and dependence upon someone else. We might consider a homeless person to be desperate or someone in a slum area, but to consider ourselves to be desperate makes us feel uneasy. Yet I would submit to you that unless you feel your own sense of desperation you will not look to Christ.

 

Jairus, the synagogue official, was a desperate man as he came to Christ. "While He was saying these things to them, a synagogue official came and bowed down before Him, and said, 'My daughter has just died; but come and lay Your hand on her, and she will live'." Because of his position in Capernaum, Jairus would have been involved in the leadership of the Jewish community. His circle of friends would have included the Pharisees that sought to undermine our Lord (9:11), and that accused Christ of casting out demons "by the ruler of demons." To say that he would have been criticized for even being friendly to Christ, much less trusting in Him to bring his daughter to life would be an understatement. He faced great pressure to conform to the prevailing religious notions of his community. But he was a desperate man. Desperation calls for decisive action in spite of what everyone else thinks. So he gladly faces the scorn and ridicule of the rest of the religious community if he can only receive mercy from the Lord.

 

Only needy people feel the desperation in their lives apart from the grace of God through Christ. But it is hard for us to admit our need before God. To say that we are hopeless, helpless, and desperate without the Lord is a huge admission. But it is also a necessary one for without such honesty we will not receive from the Great Physician's power to heal the deadly wounds of sin.

 

2. Humility

 

Accompanying desperation is humility - that posture of mind and heart in which we recognize the worthiness of the Lord and our own lack of worth. Again, consider Jairus' approach to Christ. He was the spiritual leader of the local synagogue and recognized by everyone in the community, but he "bowed down before" Jesus Christ. The term used expresses a genuine spirit of humility before one that is greater. Some of the older versions translate this as "worshipped." That probably stretches the meaning at this point, but it is certain that he soon worshipped Christ. Even his request of Christ showed humility because he asked Christ to do something impossible for men. As MacArthur points out, such a request "honored Jesus' power, compassion, and grace" [77]. The woman with the twelve-year hemorrhage showed such humility that she did not even feel herself worthy to ask Christ to come to her aid, as she simply touched the tassel on His cloak and believed. The cry of the two blind men, "Have mercy on us," expresses the lesser looking to the greater for favor.

 

Have you humbled yourself before the Lord? "God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble," Peter tells us (I Pet 5:5). The one with a stubborn, stiff-neck of pride refusing to bend before the Lord, will not know the Lord or His blessing. It was this prideful hardened heart that left the Israelites in the wilderness, far from the promises of God. Pride closed the ears of the Pharisees to the gospel. The way of humility is the way to God.

 

3. Faith

 

Matthew focuses on faith throughout his Gospel. Each of the examples in our text shows needy people trusting the Lord. Each believed the Lord for something humanly impossible. "Your faith has made you well," Jesus told the suffering woman. Though her faith was weak, even alloyed with homespun superstition, she laid hold of Christ's power and provision. It was a weak faith but an adequate faith for Christ to work. The blind men confessed Christ as the "Son of David," a clear reference to Jesus as the Messiah. When asked, "Do you believe that I am able to do this?" They said to Him, "Yes, Lord." There was no theological explanation on their part - you can guess that they were not capable of such. There was also no hedging on the power and ability of Christ. "Yes, Lord," they spoke, and Christ healed them according to their faith. It was a simple faith but a sufficient faith for Christ to work in their lives.

 

Here is what we see about the faith of these desperate people: they looked to Christ and they believed Christ to be sufficient for their need. None were giants in the faith. They were simple people that felt their own desperation and looked to Christ, believing Him to be sufficient. That is the kind of faith that transforms sinners. Some of us worry that our faith is too weak to be acceptable. Christ accepts even weak faith! Do you struggle over the size and power of your faith? Then that is your problem. You are focusing upon your faith and not upon Christ. Look to Christ, trust His sufficiency, and know the power of Christ availing for you.

 

4. Satisfaction

 

Were these people satisfied with Christ? Ask Jairus whose daughter was raised from the dead. Or the woman that no one could help, ask her if she was satisfied with Christ. Ask the two blind men if they were satisfied with Christ, or the demonized man if he was satisfied to be delivered by Christ?

 

Some among us might struggle over this very thing. Will you be satisfied with Christ? That is hard to see and grasp when you are still in bondage to your sins. You have difficulty thinking what it is like to know Christ, to be forgiven, to have the hope of eternity, and to have the indwelling Holy Spirit. But consider the blind men. They could not contain their joy and excitement so that "they went out and spread news about Him throughout all that land," even though Christ had told them to hold their excitement, presumably lest "Messianic fever" break out. We dare not excuse their disobedience, but we do sense their satisfaction with Christ. I'm convinced that you will have the same satisfaction that may be just as hard to contain; and you need not contain it!

 

Conclusion

 

The physical healings in our text foreshadow the wholeness and completeness found in Christ in the realm of the "not yet." But the "not yet" are for those that are desperate, and humble themselves, and believe in Christ in the "now." Do you have the assurance of the "not yet" belonging to you through Christ?

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