Who was healed
In the previous chapters, we have already examined many accounts of healing. In this chapter, we will look more closely at some personal testimonies of healing and read how individuals were made well. First, we will see that Jesus healed all kinds of diseases and also healed those who had been sick for many years. Then we will consider several specific healing stories.
Reason 56: Jesus Healed all Kinds of Diseases
When we study the healing accounts in the Gospels, we see that Jesus healed all kinds of diseases. No sickness was too difficult for Him. Jesus paid the price for all our diseases and all our suffering.
Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:3)
Matthew, who walked with Jesus for many years, recorded the following about Jesus and His ministry to the sick:
Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)
When Jesus bore our sicknesses at the cross of Calvary, He died for all our diseases and all our suffering. Every sickness has been paid for—whether it is a common cold or a life-threatening illness. The price was paid by Jesus. Therefore, we do not have to live our lives under the burden of sickness.
As we study the healing miracles of Jesus, we see that He healed many different physical conditions. He never had to say, “I’m sorry, but I can’t heal this disease.” Let’s look at a few examples of the kinds of sicknesses Jesus healed:
- Blindness
- The lame and crippled
- Leprosy and other skin diseases
- Muteness
- Fever
- Bleeding disorders
- Dropsy
- Epilepsy
- Back pain
- Severed or damaged body parts, such as Malchus’s ear
These examples are found in the Bible. In addition, Jesus also healed every other kind of sickness you can imagine—such as headaches, inflammation, and more. The Gospels give only a limited number of examples of the diseases Jesus healed. When choosing whether to record the testimony of someone healed from a headache after a week, or someone who had been paralyzed for years and was completely restored, the healing of the paralytic reveals a greater demonstration of the power and authority of Jesus. Such healings could be clearly verified—people had seen the paralyzed man lying on a mat for years, and after just one touch from Jesus, they saw him walking. This served as a greater confirmation of the miracle than a healing from a mild and brief headache.
And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name (John 20:30-31).
As we read in Matthew 9:35, Jesus healed every sickness and every disease. No matter what you are suffering from or how severe it is, Jesus desires to heal you.
Sometimes people say, “I have a mild headache, but I don’t want to bother God with this—it’s just a small issue.” This is not true. God cares about every pain and discomfort you experience and desires to heal you of them all. It does not cost God any extra effort to heal you—the price was already paid at the cross of Calvary.
I encourage you to exercise your faith for “small” illnesses, because doing so will teach you valuable lessons. When you learn to trust God for healing in the small things, it becomes easier to stand in faith when greater challenges come. Put your faith into action so that it may grow stronger.
And the apostles said to the Lord, “Increase our faith.” So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you.” (Luke 17:5-6)
Why did Jesus compare faith to a mustard seed? Because faith can grow and become stronger. Jesus did not compare faith to a grain of sand—which cannot grow—but to a mustard seed, which is meant to grow.
Note: It is not necessary to have a large amount of faith to be healed. Jesus said that faith as a mustard seed is enough to uproot a mulberry tree. A small amount of faith, without unbelief, is sufficient. At the same time, it is important to grow your faith and to silence unbelief. One way to do this is by putting the faith you already have into action. When you see your faith producing results in “smaller” healings, your confidence to believe for “greater” healings will naturally increase.
Reason 57: Jesus Healed Long-term Illnesses
In the previous reason, we saw that Jesus healed all types of diseases. For this reason, we focus on how Jesus also healed long-term illnesses.
Sickness is a very unpleasant experience. Most people have had the flu at some point and were sick for a few days or a week. That alone is already uncomfortable—but it usually doesn’t affect your identity. You still see yourself as a healthy man or woman who happens to be sick for a short time.
However, when the flu—or any sickness—lasts for years, something deeper begins to happen. You may start to see yourself differently. You no longer identify as a healthy person temporarily affected by illness; instead, you begin to view yourself as a sick person. Your natural circumstances try to convince you that you are sick, you feel sick, and you will always be sick. Over time, you may even forget what it feels like to be healthy.
This is also true for those who were born with a sickness or physical condition. They have never known what it feels like to be healthy or to live as a healthy person. Sickness is not just a physical problem—it attacks your identity. Yet it is important to continue seeing yourself as a healthy person who is under attack from sickness, rather than a sick person without hope. When we study the Bible, we see that Jesus healed many who had been sick or physically afflicted for years. These individuals had faith. They believed that one touch from Jesus could change their lives completely. They believed He could heal their condition.
In some of these accounts, we read how the person left behind their identity of sickness and began to act or believe as a healed person—even before their healing had fully manifested. Let’s look at some examples:
Now they came to Jericho. As He went out of Jericho with His disciples and a great multitude, blind Bartimaeus, the son of Timaeus, sat by the road begging. And when he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to cry out and say, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Then many warned him to be quiet; but he cried out all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” So Jesus stood still and commanded him to be called. Then they called the blind man, saying to him, “Be of good cheer. Rise, He is calling you.” And throwing aside his garment, he rose and came to Jesus (Mark 10:46-50).
Bartimaeus was blind and sat by the road begging for money. He wore a special garment that identified him as a blind man, so others would recognize his condition. When he heard that Jesus was calling him, he immediately cast off his garment. He threw aside the symbol of his old identity—the identity of a blind beggar. He did this before he could see. Do you see the certainty of his faith? He knew he would no longer need that garment. He believed Jesus would open his eyes, and that he would never have to beg as a blind man again.
So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road. (Mark 10:51-52)
Jesus saw this act of faith. He saw that Bartimaeus had cast off his garment, and He recognized it as a demonstration of faith. Bartimaeus believed that Jesus would restore his sight. That is why Jesus said, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” Bartimaeus let go of his old identity of sickness and stepped into his new identity—healed and whole.
Jesus also healed the woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years. When we study her story, we see that she, too, left her old identity behind. She was already walking in faith—already believing in her healing—before it happened.
Now a certain woman had a flow of blood for twelve years, and had suffered many things from many physicians. She had spent all that she had and was no better, but rather grew worse. (Mark 5:25-26)
This woman had been sick for many years. She had spent all she had on doctors, hoping to be cured, but her condition worsened instead. All hope seemed lost—until faith rose within her. Why? Because she had heard about Jesus. She knew He could heal her.
When she heard about Jesus, she came behind Him in the crowd and touched His garment. For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” (Mark 5:27-28)
She knew that one touch from Jesus would be enough to receive her healing. But there was one obstacle: because she had a flow of blood, she was considered unclean according to the Law of Moses. This meant she was not allowed to touch anyone.
If a woman has a discharge of blood for many days, other than at the time of her customary impurity, or if it runs beyond her usual time of impurity, all the days of her unclean discharge shall be as the days of her customary impurity. She shall be unclean. Every bed on which she lies all the days of her discharge shall be to her as the bed of her impurity; and whatever she sits on shall be unclean, as the uncleanness of her impurity. Whoever touches those things shall be unclean; he shall wash his clothes and bathe in water, and be unclean until evening. (Leviticus 15:25-27)
Yet, she touched Jesus. In faith, she stepped out of her identity as a sick and unclean woman, and embraced the identity of one who was whole and pure. She touched Him, fully believing that in that moment she would be healed.
According to the Law of Moses, her touch would have made Jesus ceremonially unclean. But this woman understood something greater: in this case, the power of healing and purity flowed from Jesus to her. Her uncleanness did not defile Him—His holiness cleansed her. She left behind her old identity and received her new identity as one who was healed and allowed to touch the Son of God.
Let us now study one more account, where people left behind their identity of illness even before they were healed:
Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, returned, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face at His feet, giving Him thanks. And he was a Samaritan. (Luke 17:12-15)
Can you picture it? Ten lepers came to Jesus seeking healing. They cried out to Him, standing at a distance. Jesus simply said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” He did not pray for them, lay hands on them, or visibly heal them in that moment. The lepers still looked the same. Yet they obeyed. They stepped out of their identity as sick men and went to the priests. But why did they go?
This shall be the law of the leper for the day of his cleansing: He shall be brought to the priest. (Leviticus 14:2)
According to the Law of Moses, the priest had to examine a person to confirm if the leprosy had truly been healed. So these ten lepers—still visibly unhealed—set out to the priests. They trusted the word of Jesus and believed that healing would come, even before they could see it with their eyes.
And indeed, as they went, the healing power of God touched them, and they were cleansed. Their obedience and faith led to their healing, and they were all declared clean. But first, they broke away from their identity of sickness and acted in faith before the healing manifested.
This shows us how important it is not to live with a mindset of sickness. Instead, we must continually recognize that we are healthy people under attack from illness—not sick people trying to become well.
Finally, let us take a look at the people Jesus healed, and how long they had been sick:
And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years (…) (Matthew 9:20)
Then they brought him to Him. And when he saw Him, immediately the spirit convulsed him, and he fell on the ground and wallowed, foaming at the mouth. So He asked his father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood.” (Mark 9:20-21)
And behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity eighteen years, and was bent over and could in no way raise herself up. (Luke 13:11)
Now a certain man was there who had an infirmity thirty-eight years. (John 5:5)
Now as Jesus passed by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. (John 9:1)
And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried. (...) For the man was over forty years old on whom this miracle of healing had been performed. (Acts 3:2 and 4:22)
There he found a certain man named Aeneas, who had been bedridden eight years and was paralyzed. (Acts 9:33)
And in Lystra a certain man without strength in his feet was sitting, a cripple from his mother’s womb, who had never walked (Acts 14:8)
All of these people were healed—either by Jesus or by the apostles. No matter how long someone has been sick, the healing power of Jesus is available. Whether a person has been sick for one day or many decades, nothing is impossible with God. His healing is available to all who believe.
Reason 58: Jesus Wants to Heal
Sometimes people wonder, “Does Jesus want to heal me?” When Jesus walked the earth, there was also a man who had this same question—and he decided to ask Jesus directly.
And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed. (Matthew 8:2-3)
This is a beautiful passage that clearly reveals the will of Jesus. Notice that Jesus didn’t say, “Wait a moment, I need to pray to God first to see if it’s His will to heal you,” or, “Let Me fast for three days to find out whether this healing is for you.” No—right after the man asked if Jesus was willing, Jesus reached out, touched him, and said, “I am willing.”
The answer Jesus gave to that man is the same answer He gives you today: Yes, Jesus wants to heal you. Yes, Jesus wants you to live in health and not carry the burden of sickness. What Jesus was willing to do for one, He is willing to do for all. Jesus shows no partiality.
Then Peter opened his mouth and said: “In truth I perceive that God shows no partiality. But in every nation whoever fears Him and works righteousness is accepted by Him.” (Acts 10:34-35)
The reason Jesus did not need to ask the Father whether this man could be healed is because the will of God is already clear: God wants everyone to be healed. Jesus bore all sickness and suffering on the cross—not for a few, but for all. Jesus and the Father are one in will and purpose, and both desire healing for every person.
Reason 59: One Word is Enough
We have already seen that healing is not difficult for God or Jesus. In fact, Jesus has already paid the price for our healing on the cross—so the work is finished. When Jesus walked the earth, He did not need to pray long prayers for the sick. One word was, and still is, enough for Jesus. He has all authority over every sickness, and even when He speaks a single word, sickness must obey.
The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.” When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!” (...) Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:8-13)
What made the centurion so confident that Jesus could heal his servant with just one word? He understood how authority works. As a military officer, he knew that when he gave an order to a soldier, the soldier obeyed without question—because the centurion had authority over him. Likewise, the centurion obeyed those in higher rank above him. This is how authority functions.
The centurion recognized that Jesus operated the same way in the spiritual realm. He understood that Jesus had authority over sickness. Therefore, he knew that Jesus did not need to be physically present—He only needed to speak. Because when someone with true authority gives a command, it must be obeyed.
You may be thinking, “Yes, Jesus has all authority, but that doesn't apply to us.” But the good news is: Jesus has also given His disciples authority over sickness and demons. That means, in Jesus’ name, we are called to heal the sick and cast out demons—just as He did.
And when He had called His twelve disciples to Him, He gave them power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease. (Matthew 10:1)
And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:18-20)
In the name of Jesus, we have also received power and authority. That means it is enough for us to speak one word—to heal the sick or to cast out a demon. One word, spoken in faith and authority, is sufficient. We do not need to spend hours in prayer to see someone healed. The prayer of one righteous person is powerful.
Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:16)
Reason 60: Healing is Easy for Jesus
In Mark 2, we read that healing was not difficult for Jesus—it was easy. When Jesus returned to Capernaum, many people gathered at the house where He was staying to hear Him teach. A paralyzed man was brought to Him, carried by four of his friends. However, because of the crowd, they could not get near Him. So, they went up onto the roof, made an opening, and lowered the paralyzed man on a mat down before Jesus. When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic that his sins were forgiven. The scribes, reasoning in their hearts, thought, “Why does this Man speak blasphemies like this? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” In response, Jesus said:
“Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins”—He said to the paralytic, “I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.” Immediately he arose, took up the bed, and went out in the presence of them all, so that all were amazed and glorified God, saying, “We never saw anything like this!” (Mark 2:9-12)
Of course, for us as humans, it is easier to say that someone's sins are forgiven, because this cannot be seen with the natural eye. There is no outward proof that sins have been forgiven. But when you say to a paralyzed man, “Arise, take up your bed, and walk,” a visible miracle must take place. However, for Jesus, it was no more difficult to forgive sins than to heal sickness. Jesus did not say, “Which is harder?”—He said, “Which is easier?” For Jesus, both forgiving sins and healing diseases are easy.
In addition, Jesus proved His authority to forgive sins by healing the man. This is very significant, and throughout the Bible, we often see the connection between forgiveness and healing.
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities, Who heals all your diseases. (Psalm 103:2-3)
But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)
And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much. (James 5:15-16)
For God, healing you is no more difficult than forgiving you. And Jesus desires to do both. When He saw the paralyzed man, He did not only want to heal him; He also wanted to forgive him. In the same way, Jesus wants to forgive and heal you.
Jesus does not ask us to choose between forgiveness or healing. He wants to give us both—and He desires to give them freely and without delay. When Jesus forgave the man, He did not say, “I have now forgiven you. Do not sin for a year, and then come back. If you have not sinned, I will heal you.” No, Jesus forgave and healed him at the same time. Why? Because for Jesus, it is not difficult to forgive and to heal—and it is His will to give both to us.
Reason 61: Healing Flows from the Kingdom
The kingdom of God and healing go hand in hand—they belong together.
Then one was brought to Him who was demon-possessed, blind and mute; and He healed him, so that the blind and mute man both spoke and saw. (...) But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:22 and 28)
They brought a man to Jesus who was possessed by a demon, was blind, and could not speak. Jesus healed him completely. This was a great miracle and a tremendous blessing for the man. However, the Pharisees did not agree. They accused Jesus of being possessed by Beelzebub, the ruler of demons, and claimed that this was how He was able to cast out demons.
Sadly, similar accusations are made today against healing ministries and preachers. Some people believe that healers are empowered by the devil or demons to perform miracles. But the same accusations were made against Jesus—so there is nothing new about such claims.
Jesus responded by exposing the foolishness of their reasoning. He explained that it would make no sense for Satan to cast out Satan, because a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand.
But Jesus knew their thoughts, and said to them: “Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself will not stand. If Satan casts out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then will his kingdom stand?” (Matthew 12:25-26)
Why would the devil want to heal people and do good? On the contrary, the devil seeks to destroy and kill.
The thief does not come except to steal, and to kill, and to destroy. (…) (John 10:10)
(…) He was a murderer from the beginning. (…) (John 8:44)
No—the devil causes sickness, and God brings healing. It is not possible for a preacher who is possessed by a demon to cast out other demons through that same demonic power. So, there must be another explanation.
But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you. (Matthew 12:28)
Jesus did not cast out demons by the power of a demon, but by the Holy Spirit of God. Healing the sick and casting out demons are works of the Holy Spirit—and therefore they are works of God. These signs are also characteristics of the kingdom of God. Healing and deliverance belong to the ministry of the kingdom.
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. (Matthew 10:7-8)
And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’ (Luke 10:9)
When do believers become part of God’s kingdom? The moment they are born again.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Colossians 1:13)
In other words, healing and deliverance are blessings of the kingdom of God. And as a born-again believer, you are part of that kingdom. This means that all born-again Christians have a right to healing and deliverance. If you are a son or daughter of God, you may walk in healing and freedom. God is eager to give it to you.
Reason 62: Distance is no Barrier for Jesus
When we study the healing accounts of Jesus, we might think, “That is wonderful, but Jesus cannot touch me anymore. He is in heaven, and I am here on earth.” I have good news: when Jesus was on earth, He often healed by laying hands on people, but He also healed at a distance. Jesus did not always need to lay His hands on someone; He could simply speak the word, and healing would take place—even from far away.
So Jesus came again to Cana of Galilee where He had made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman whose son was sick at Capernaum. When he heard that Jesus had come out of Judea into Galilee, he went to Him and implored Him to come down and heal his son, for he was at the point of death. Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe.” The nobleman said to Him, “Sir, come down before my child dies!” Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your son lives.” So the man believed the word that Jesus spoke to him, and he went his way. And as he was now going down, his servants met him and told him, saying, “Your son lives!” (John 4:46-51)
Jesus did not need to travel with the nobleman to Capernaum; He remained in Cana and spoke healing at a distance. We see this happen on several occasions:
And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. (...) Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour. (Matthew 8:7-13)
Then He said to her, “For this saying go your way; the demon has gone out of your daughter.” And when she had come to her house, she found the demon gone out, and her daughter lying on the bed. (Mark 7:29-30)
Then as He entered a certain village, there met Him ten men who were lepers, who stood afar off. And they lifted up their voices and said, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” So when He saw them, He said to them, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And so it was that as they went, they were cleansed. (Luke 17:12-14)
We also see healing at a distance in the book of Acts, where handkerchiefs and aprons from Paul's body were brought to the sick, and they were healed.
Now God worked unusual miracles by the hands of Paul, so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil spirits went out of them. (Acts 19:11-12)
Jesus can heal people at a distance. Therefore, we do not need a physical manifestation of Jesus walking into our room and laying hands on us. One word spoken from heaven is enough for complete healing. In fact, Jesus has already spoken healing over your life.
Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. (Psalm 107:19-20)
You do not need a physical revelation to receive healing. You can know and believe that Jesus heals at a distance—and He is more than willing to do so. Moreover, after His ascension, Jesus is no longer far away. In a human sense, it was even more difficult for Jesus to heal at a distance during His earthly ministry than it is today. Why? Because through His crucifixion, Jesus paid the full price for sin and sickness on the cross, rose from the dead, and received all authority in heaven and on earth. In addition, He gave us the Holy Spirit, so that we may walk with God and experience His presence continually.
(…) “and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen. (Matthew 28:20)
Summary
In this chapter, we studied several healing accounts from the Bible. First, we saw that Jesus healed all kinds of sicknesses, and no disease was too difficult for Him to heal. He paid the price for all our diseases and suffering. Examples include healing blindness, paralysis, leprosy, fever, and epilepsy.
We also saw that Jesus healed long-term illnesses and those who had been sick from birth. In several accounts, we read how people left behind their identity of sickness and stepped into their identity of health—even before they were actually healed. This shows how important it is to continue seeing yourself as a healthy person under attack from sickness, rather than identifying as a sick person.
Jesus desires to heal everyone, regardless of the illness. He has all power and authority to heal, and all He asks for is faith. Even one word spoken in faith is enough for Jesus to bring healing.
We also learned that healing is part of the kingdom of God. Healing is a key feature of God's kingdom, and all believers have a right to healing and deliverance.
Finally, we saw that Jesus can heal at a distance. His healing power is not limited to physical touch; one word spoken at a distance is enough to bring complete healing.