Matthew 1-7: Jesus Our Healer

Today we have the opportunity to read a special word from our president, Glenn Burris Jr. As you read his introduction, consider this quarter’s theme: Jesus Our Healer. Prepare your heart and mind this week by jumping into Matthew 1-7, and let Glenn’s overview serve as a glimpse of what is to come.
There are many things about life I don’t have answers for.

In college, while studying for the ministry, my faith was shaken to its core. A young friend at home died after a battle with cancer. His premature death was understandably difficult for me to reconcile with divine healing, one of the four cardinal doctrines of our church.

From that day forward, I chose to focus my life and ministry on the things about divine healing and Jesus the Healer that I do know. Here are a few convictions that I hold concerning healing:

1. Healing is rooted in God’s character: Ex. 15:26, “For I am the Lord who heals you” (NKJV).
2. Healing is for our nation, as well as our bodies: 2 Chron. 7:14, “… I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”
3. Healing is for our hearts, as well as our bodies: Ps. 147:3, “He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.”
4. Healing today is rooted in Christ’s suffering: Isa. 53:5, “… by His stripes we are healed.”
5. Healing is available because of Christ’s compassion: Matt. 14:14, “And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.”
6. Healing is available because Jesus empowers others: Matt. 10:1, “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.”
7. Healing is available through prayer, faith and the laying on of hands: James 5:14-15, “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”
8. Healing will produce new believers: John 4:53, “So the father knew that it was at the same hour in which Jesus said to him, ‘Your son lives.’ And he himself believed, and his whole household.”
9. Healing can be affected by our unbelief: Matt. 13:58, “Now He did not do many mighty works there because of their unbelief.”
10. Healing can be activated by our confidence in Him: Luke 8:48, “And He said to her, ‘Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well. Go in peace.’ “

I choose to contend for the clear promises of God concerning healing. There are no other options for me. I see through a glass darkly, not fully understanding it all (see 1 Cor. 13:12). But I know His heart, I’ve read His Word, and I’ve witnessed His miracles!

God has used—and always will use—the demonstration of His kingdom, His rule and reign, to draw unbelievers into His family: “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people” (Matt. 4:23).

Just a few chapters later, in Matt. 10, Jesus gave His disciples and all of us who would follow after them “… power over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease” (Matt. 10:1).

I’m keeping a bottle of anointing oil nearby, confident that I serve a God who wants to heal!

By: Glenn Burris Jr. president of The Foursquare Church, Los Angeles, Calif.

Share your journey through the Gospels » Leave a comment below to share what God is showing you personally as the Foursquare family reads through the Gospels! Download the reading plan bookmarks for 2012, and you can also subscribe to the weekly Foursquare Leader Prayer email to receive insights and inspiration from Foursquare leaders around the world.