Jesus Still Heals
September 3 | DNA Guide
Be Real Together:
Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.
Read Together: Matthew 8:1-17 CSB
The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or DNA.
What lessons can we take from Matthew 8:1-17 about how we should approach Jesus for healing and how we should respond to his authority in our lives?
Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DNA or for personal study.
Following the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus began demonstrating the Kingdom with increased intensity through miracles and divine healings. Healing people became a major aspect of his ministry. In this passage, we are given three individual examples of Jesus as “the great physician.”
In the first, a man with leprosy (a skin disease) approaches Jesus for healing. He shows him honor and submission by kneeling. He appeals to the willingness and the authority of Jesus. Jesus touches the man in spite of him being seen as “unclean.” Jesus restores this man’s health, his dignity and his place in the community.
In the second example, when the Roman Centurion wants help for his paralyzed servant, he addresses Jesus as “Lord” and acknowledges his authority. Jesus honors the man’s request and commends this man for his incredible faith. His example of humbling himself by coming under Christ’s authority is a reminder that we too can trust that he is the ultimate authority over all realms of existence, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
In the third example of healing, Jesus saw the condition of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was ill with fever, and he touched her, just like he did with the man with leprosy. Jesus' touch brings instant healing. She doesn't merely experience physical healing; she is transformed, going from being bedridden to actively ministering to Jesus and whoever came with him.
This passage also addressed people who are possessed by demons and other illnesses who came to Jesus for spiritual and physical healing. It depicts Jesus as the authentic Messiah, liberating people from the shackles of sin and the consequences of a broken world.
Sometimes healing comes immediately, sometimes it doesn't, but in all cases, we're met with His compassion and ultimately, the promise of healing that is ours when we meet him in glory.
When asking for healing:
Questions To Discuss:
In the first, a man with leprosy (a skin disease) approaches Jesus for healing. He shows him honor and submission by kneeling. He appeals to the willingness and the authority of Jesus. Jesus touches the man in spite of him being seen as “unclean.” Jesus restores this man’s health, his dignity and his place in the community.
In the second example, when the Roman Centurion wants help for his paralyzed servant, he addresses Jesus as “Lord” and acknowledges his authority. Jesus honors the man’s request and commends this man for his incredible faith. His example of humbling himself by coming under Christ’s authority is a reminder that we too can trust that he is the ultimate authority over all realms of existence, physical, emotional, and spiritual.
In the third example of healing, Jesus saw the condition of Peter’s mother-in-law, who was ill with fever, and he touched her, just like he did with the man with leprosy. Jesus' touch brings instant healing. She doesn't merely experience physical healing; she is transformed, going from being bedridden to actively ministering to Jesus and whoever came with him.
This passage also addressed people who are possessed by demons and other illnesses who came to Jesus for spiritual and physical healing. It depicts Jesus as the authentic Messiah, liberating people from the shackles of sin and the consequences of a broken world.
Sometimes healing comes immediately, sometimes it doesn't, but in all cases, we're met with His compassion and ultimately, the promise of healing that is ours when we meet him in glory.
When asking for healing:
- Know he can (confidence)
- Ask if he will (yielding)
- Rejoice when he does (gratitude)
- Trust when he doesn’t (faith)
Questions To Discuss:
- Do you believe that Jesus is willing and able to heal the personal challenges you face today? Why or why not?
- Have you ever witnessed or experienced a miraculous healing in your life or the life of someone you know? Share it with your Group / DNA.
- Why do you think Jesus sometimes told those he healed to keep it a secret?
- How can we build a supportive and faith-filled community that actively seeks to address the illnesses and problems of its members?
- What role does faith play in the healings described in this passage, and how can we apply this to our own lives?
Pray Together:
Take time to pray with and for each other.
Deeper Study:
Enduring Word Commentary - Matthew 8