I’m writing a booklet that flows from my own journey of many years to know Messiah Jesus intimately, to understand His ways, and to become more like Him. A portion of this journey has been for me to personally see and experience the same supernatural works of God that Jesus experienced in His life and ministry. I not only want to be like Him, I also want to see His incredible power at work in and through me, to touch the lives of people in this hurting world in the way He did. His amazing promise to “anyone who has faith in [Jesus]” was to have the power to do what Jesus did for those three years in Israel, and, believe it or not, to do even greater things than what He did! (see John 14:12-13). That promise was given not just to the early apostles; it was not just for the mature and experienced ones in Christ; and it was not even just for those who are walking in holiness and righteousness. It was simply for “anyone who has faith in Jesus!”

When our son was only two years old, before he could read, write, or even communicate very well, he prayed for his mom to be healed of a serious eye inflammation. He laid his tiny, wintertime-cold, two-year-old hands on her eye and she was instantly and permanently healed of this physical ailment. He didn’t say anything out loud. He didn’t quote any Scripture. He didn’t verbally pray in Jesus’ Name. He wasn’t mature in any way. But he did have simple faith in Jesus. And God responded to that simple faith.

Jesus of Nazareth, the Son of God and the Son of Man, was sent to this earth at an appointed time in history with a mandate to do the will of His Father in Heaven. At around 30 years of age, this newly anointed and tested Rabbi emerged from the wilderness onto the scene in Judea with a clear call from God to teach and preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God, and to heal the sick bodies of people with all kinds of ailments and diseases. Healing the sick was an integral part of Jesus’ ministry and His call to do God’s will.

I was amazed to discover in my research in the Gospel accounts of Jesus’ life, how huge a part the ministry of supernatural healing was of His compassionate work among the people for the three plus years He labored on earth:

Jesus went all over Galilee, teaching in the synagogues,
preaching the Good News about the Kingdom,
and healing people who had all kinds of disease and sickness.
The news about him spread through the whole country of Syria,
so that people brought to him all those who were sick, suffering from all kinds
of diseases and disorders: people with demons, and epileptics, and paralytics—
and Jesus healed them all.
from Matthew 4:23-24 (GNT)

When Jesus landed and stepped from the boat, he saw the huge crowd and welcomed them and taught them many things about the kingdom of God.
He had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd
and he healed those who were sick.
from Matthew 14:14; Mark 6:34; Luke 9:11 (NLT)

They ran through that whole surrounding region, and began to carry about on beds those who were sick to wherever they heard He was. Wherever He entered, into villages, cities, or the country, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged Him that they might just touch the hem of His garment.
And as many as touched Him were made well.
from Mark 6:55-56 (NKJV)

When they came down from the mountain,
the disciples stood with Jesus on a large, level area,
surrounded by many of his followers and by the crowds.
There were people from all over Judea and from Jerusalem
and from as far north as the seacoasts of Tyre and Sidon.
They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases;
and those troubled by evil spirits were healed.
Everyone tried to touch him, because healing power
went out from him, and he healed everyone.
from Luke 6:17-19 (NLT)

The stories I’ve chosen for this booklet are only a small part of those recorded in the New Testament. And the stories don’t stop with Jesus’ life. They continue on through the lives of His people, both in the Bible as well as today, through the same power of the Holy Spirit that flowed from Jesus’ life. When a story is recorded in more than one of the Gospels, the various viewpoints of the Gospel writers have been merged together to make one complete story. In doing this, every effort has been made to keep the accuracy and authenticity of the narrative.

You will discover several compelling facts as you read these amazing accounts:

1. Out of the 27 unique, individual healings and the many general statements of His healing work, more than half of the time it says that those who came to Him for healing came “begging.” In other words, they were desperate! And Jesus never turned a single one away. He healed every one. He honors simple faith and has deep compassion for desperate people.

2. In more than half of the stories, Jesus did something physical, and sometimes unusual, such as laying on of hands, spitting, making mud, sticking His fingers in ears, etc.

3. In about half of the stories, faith was the critical issue.

4. In about half of the stories, the person, or people who were healed, were required to first obey a specific command.

5. In nearly half of the stories, some other person brought the sick person to Jesus or came on their behalf.

Stay tuned for further installments as this booklet grows to become a reality…