Matthew 4:23-24 

²³ Jesus went throughout Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom, and healing every disease and sickness among the people. ²⁴ News about him spread all over Syria, and people brought to him all who were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.

Near the beginning of Jesus’ teaching ministry Matthew gives his readers a glimpse of Jesus’ healing ministry as well. His ministry that began in Nazareth and Capernaum now includes the region of Galilee and news of what He was doing extended to all of Syria. What was He doing? He was teaching in their synagogues and preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God. He was also healing (get this) every disease and sickness among the people. It was this healing ministry that was the drawing card as people not only came to see Him themselves, but also brought with them those who “were ill with various diseases, those suffering severe pain, the demon-possessed, those having seizures, and the paralyzed, and he healed them.”

Reading the text we know that Jesus was a healer. What some, in the church, are less certain about is that He is still a healer today. As some teach, the gifts of the Spirit did not cease at the death of the last living original apostle. Healing is still available today. God has not changed. We serve the same God today and they served back then. There is no question that God sovereignly heals whom He desires to heal. The question that concerns us today is if God heals, how dos one get in the position to be healed? While this particular text does not seem to help us, we can look to instances Matthew records to answer this question. How does one get positioned for healing?

1. Come to Jesus in faith actively seeking His help (Matthew 4:24). People brought to Jesus those who were sick actively, not passively seeking healing.

2. Come to Jesus with a reverent attitude and assurance (Matthew 8:2-3). The man with leprosy came and knelt before Jesus (reverence), and says to Him, “You can make me clean” (assurance).

3. Come to Jesus asking, not just waiting to see what happens (Matthew 8:5). A centurion came to Jesus, as one man under authority speaking to another, asking for His help.

4. Come to Jesus relying on the faith of others if your faith will not get you to Jesus (Matthew 9:2). Sometimes it may be your faith on behalf of another that secures their healing.

5. Come to Jesus with a simple faith (Matthew 9:20-22). The woman thought if she could just touch the hem of the Savior’s garment she would be healed. No deep theology, just a simple faith.

6. Come to Jesus with total confidence in His ability (Matthew 9:27-30a). These two blind men followed Jesus, and when He asked them if they believed He had the ability to heal them they did not hesitate. They were totally confident.

7. Come to Jesus trusting in the tenderness of His heart to be touched by your need (Matthew 20:30-34). These two other blind men cared not that they were trying to stop Jesus along the way. They wanted to see.

In these texts Jesus was healing physical infirmities, but understand that however you may be suffering He has your need in mind. He is not so distant as to be unaffected by your pain. He knows how your struggle. He knows how you suffer. He knows your desire to be whole. Thank God for doctors who treat us and prescribe medicine for us, but God is able and willing to heal. All we need do is get in the right position. Does this guarantee healing, yes! Death, too, is healing. Does it guarantee restoration? No! But there is no chance of being healed if we are out of position.

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