Compassionate Healer

We are jumping back into the Gospel of Matthew as the series continues in the life of Jesus. The detours serve to see the actions of Jesus up close and personal and to think about how the life of Jesus impacts how I live today. If you have been in or around church for a while, you hear Jesus described as compassionate healer. And the audience usually responds with resounding affirmation. Instead of spending the focus of our time on how Jesus is a compassionate healer, I want to look deeper into why.

But first, let’s briefly look at the healing accounts of Jesus that Matthew includes in chapter 14 and 15. They are concise. In Gennesaret, the people ask to touch only the fringe of Jesus’ garment. The sick are desperate for healing and believe the power inside Jesus can heal them with the slightest touch. The other account of Jesus on top of a mountain near the Sea of Galilee, we see loved ones bring their sick family and friends and put them at the feet of Jesus. I can hear their pleas, “Jesus, here is my sister. Please do what only you can do. You are our only hope.” And Jesus heals every single one of the sick placed at his feet. The lack of details gives space for the reader to imagine themselves in the crowd. Maybe you are in Gennesaret stretching out as far as you can to graze Jesus’ shirt sleeve. For decades, you battle shame that has you convinced you are your sin, and you will never be set free. You stretch out in hopes of Jesus removing your shame and calling you into freedom with him. Or perhaps, you make it to the top of the mountain with your loved one, exhausted from the journey, praying Jesus does not leave before healing your loved one. You are weary and your heart breaks to watch them suffer. What do we read in each passage? Jesus heals them. Compassion for the people moves Jesus to heal. Jesus fully restores. Jesus gives abundant life.  

Now, ask yourself why? Why does Jesus spend the time to heal the sick? He is on a mission. Remember a few chapters back, Jesus says in Matthew 9:12-13 that the reason he came was to heal the sick. The context implies Jesus heals the spiritually sick, but how do we not know Jesus used physical healing to draw their hearts to believe in him? I think about the leper, paralytic, or blind man physically healed by Jesus. After Jesus restores their lives, they experience the transformation from death to life, how do they respond? The same way our friends on the mountain in Matthew 15:31, by praising God. Another reason Jesus welcomes the sick in Gennesaret and nearby the Sea of Galilee is because his heart overflows with mercy, compassion, and love. Dane Ortlund’s book, “Gently and Lowly” has been a helpful resource for me to understand the heart of Jesus. Some of the key points Ortlund makes are displayed by Jesus’ actions in our passage today such as Jesus’ natural reaction is to move toward sin and suffering. Jesus has come to heal and delights when I ask for healing. The crowds flock to Jesus in both places because of his compassionate and gentle heart. He welcomes the sick. They leave forever changed by the compassion Jesus pours out on them. He loves too much to be indifferent to their “sickness” or sin. The same is true for you and me. How does the compassionate heart of Jesus seeking to heal you, impact how you live today? Maybe you stretch out and realize Jesus is closer than you realized. Maybe all you can do is sit at the feet of Jesus to pray a simple prayer, “Jesus, here I am. Please do what only you can do. You are my only hope.” Wherever you are today, my prayer is that you feel Jesus meet you with his heart of mercy, compassion, and love.

Q: What did Jesus heal you from in 2023? Is there something you would be so bold to ask Jesus to heal in you this year?