04.12.2023 |
CHRIST THE HEALER – JEHOVAH RAPHA
Exodus 15:22
So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea; then they went out into the wilderness of Shur. And they went three days in the wilderness and found no water.
Exodus 15:23
Now when they came to Marah, they could not drink the waters of Marah, for they were bitter. Therefore, the name of it was called Marah.
Exodus 15:24-25
And the people complained against Moses saying, “What shall we drink?” So, he cried out to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree. When he cast it into the waters, the waters were made sweet. There He made a statue and an ordinance for them, and there He tested them.
Exodus 15:26
And said, “If you diligently heed the voice of the Lord your God and do what is right in His sight, give ear to His commandments and keep all His statues, I will put none of the diseases on you which I brought on the Egyptians. For I am the Lord who heals you.”
The tree cast into the bitter waters is a picture of the cross of Jesus Christ!
Because of the cross we now live under the new covenant, the covenant of Grace.
Healing flows from the cross of Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:24b
By whose stripes, you were healed.
Jesus Christ is Jehovah Rapha. He is Christ the Healer!
Rapha – to heal, to mend, to stitch together, to make whole, be a physician
Jehovah Rapha – I am the Lord who heals you. I am the Lord your Physician.
Matthew 8:17b
He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.
Jesus Christ is our Healer!
1. Jesus Christ Healed the Sick
Matthew 8:16
When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed, and He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick.
Matthew 4:24
Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.
Our God is Jehovah Rapha: the Lord our Healer.
2. Jesus Christ Heals the Sick Today
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Malachi 3:6a
For I am the Lord, I do not change.
We can believe God for healing because of:
A. Who He is. (Hebrews 13:8 – Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.)
B. What He has said. (Matthew 8:3a – “I am willing; be cleansed.”)
C. What He has done on the cross. (Matthew 8:17)
Matthew 8:17b
He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.
Matthew 8:17b (NLT)
He took our sicknesses and removed our diseases.
Matthew 8:17 (NASB1995)
He Himself took our infirmities and carried away our diseases.
Isaiah 53:4a (NKJV)
Surely, He has borne our griefs [sicknesses] and carried our sorrows [pains].
Isaiah 53:5
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.
3. Jesus Christ Wants to Heal Each One of Us Today
He wants to manifest His healing in us!
He is inviting us to:
A. Believe Him – Lord, I believe You are my Healer.
B. Ask Him – Lord, I pray for Your healing power to be released in my life.
C. Receive His gift of healing by faith – Lord, I receive Your healing in my life by faith in Jesus’ Name.
4. Jesus Wants to Heal Others Through Us
Mark 16:17a
And these signs will follow those who believe.
Mark 16:18b
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
Jesus Christ is alive! He wants to heal us, empower us, and then heal others through us for the glory of God!
Discussion Questions:
1. Have you ever experienced the healing power of Jesus Christ? Could you share how?
2. Why is Hebrews 13:8 so important in encouraging people to believe in healing for today?
3. Matthew 8:17 links the healing of Jesus to the cross and to Isaiah 53. Why is this so important?
4. Have you ever experienced the healing power of Jesus healing someone through you? How?
5. What can encourage us to step out and pray for the sick around us?
Memory Verse:
Matthew 8:17b
He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.