“He healed all that were sick that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias, the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities and bare our sicknesses” ―Matthew 8:16, 17.
THE very fact that disease was so prevalent in Israel was proof of the people’s departure from God (Exod. 15:26). Each different sickness has a spiritual significance and the healing of each case illustrates Christ’s power over sin in all its forms, whether direct Satanic control (Mark 1:24-26), the burning fever of sin as typified by the illness of Peter’s wife’s mother, the dreadful uncleanness of it as pictured by leprosy, or its helplessness as illustrated by the case of the palsied man (Matt. 9:2-8). No matter in what form our sin may manifest itself, the great Physician can give complete deliverance.
Jesus is today the healing Christ. But He is far more concerned with giving spiritual health to sin-sick souls than healing people of fevers or cleansing leprous sores. These were of old the signs of Nis Messiahship. Now He is exalted to God’s right hand as a Prince and a Saviour. All, no matter what their spiritual ailments, may find deliverance through faith in Him.
“The worst of all diseases
Is light compared with sin;
On every part it seizes,
But rages most within.
‘Tis dropsy palsy fever
And madness, all combined.
And none but a believer
The least relief can find.”