Session 10: Jesus heals

Jesus performed his first miracle during the wedding at Cana, when he turned water into wine. When he started his public ministry, teaching people everywhere he went about God, he also demonstrated his divine power and performed many miracles.

What are some of the miracles performed by Jesus which you remember?

Jesus' miracles raised people from the dead, controlled nature, multiplied food, healed the sick and cast out evil spirits. Even Jesus' birth was a miracle. The bible records more than 30 miracles performed by Jesus. You can refer to https://childrensministry.com/7-miracles-jesus/ for a more comprehensive list of the miracles performed by Jesus.

The bible describes many instances where Jesus heals. One famous example is when the friends of a paralysed man helped bring him to Jesus to be healed. Let's watch/read Luke 5:17-26:

1. Jesus Heals a Paralyzed Man (Luke 5:17-26)

Source: Saddleback Kids on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8cmppSIQUX4

Let's discuss

How does the paralyzed man get to Jesus?

His friends helped him - they had so much faith that Jesus could heal him, they removed the roof and lowered him into the house where Jesus was preaching. This shows how important friends and our community are in our faith - our friends can help bring us closer to God, and we should also help to bring our friends closer to God.

Do we have friends like that? How can we be good friends to others, to bring them closer to God?

What does Jesus say in order to heal the paralysed man? What does this teach us?

Jesus first said "Your sins are forgiven". This teaches us that Jesus has authority even to forgive sins. The Jewish leaders saw this - and they know that only God has the authority to forgive sins. This was why they found it difficult to accept what Jesus was saying - how can this man claim to forgive sins? It was hard for them to understand that Jesus is God.

The fact that the paralytic was able to get up and walk demonstrates Jesus' power, not only to heal but also to forgive sins. It shows the miracles which Jesus can do for people - heal them physically as well as spiritually.

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Another example is in the town of Capernaum, soon after he delivered his sermon on the Mount. Let's read a passage from Luke 7:1-10 (or Matthew 8: 5-13) or watch the following video, about a story of how Jesus healed a Centurion's servant.

2. Jesus heals a Centurion's Servant ( 7:1-10)

Source: The Holy Tales on YouTube at https://youtu.be/kyJ5w9cXjBQ?t=67

Let's discuss:

Jesus was passing through Capernaum when some Jewish leaders came to him from a Centurion (who is a Roman soldier in charge of 100 men).

Jesus praises the Centurion for his faith, and exclaims that it is difficult to find such faith in Jerusalem. What did the Centurion say/do to demonstrate his faith in Jesus?

The Centurion sent some Jewish elders to ask Jesus to heal his servant. Because he wasn't Jewish, he asked his Jewish friends to intercede for him. When he heard that Jesus was on his way to his house, he quickly asked Jesus not to trouble himself to come all the way, because he was not worthy, but just to say the word and his servant would be healed.

The Centurion is a high ranking officer in the Roman army. However, instead of using his authority or harping on his achievements, he demonstrated humility and acknowledges Jesus as all-powerful, and that he is not worthy of him. He demonstrates faith in Jesus' ability to heal and recognises his authority over all things. Jesus praises his faith, which surpasses even those of many Jews.

Do you think Jesus still heals and works miracles today?