Prayer for the Sick: Eager Multitude

The Healing of the Multitude
Matthew 8:16-17 [show] That evening they brought to him many who were oppressed by demons, and he cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: "He took our illnesses and bore our diseases." (ESV)

It is customary to have a meal at the end of the Sabbath, but it is likely that it was barely finished before Jesus turned again to answer the call of those in need of healing. Word had spread throughout the region from the time of his delivering the man from unclean spirits at the synagogue. And now that the Sabbath was over, the people were not restricted in their activities. They were coming to get their miraculous healing, right to the very door.

Again the accounts concur in Matthew, Mark 1:32-34 [show] That evening at sundown they brought to him all who were sick or oppressed by demons. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons. And he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him. (ESV)
, and Luke 4:40-41 [show] Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to him, and he laid his hands on every one of them and healed them. And demons also came out of many, crying, "You are the Son of God!" But he rebuked them and would not allow them to speak, because they knew that he was the Christ. (ESV)
. Many were healed of diverse diseases and delivered of unclean spirits and devils. Luke says Jesus laid his hands on every one of the sick, and Matthew reports that he cast out the spirits with a word. Also Mark and Luke report similarly that Jesus suffered the devils not to speak.

Many are the diseases and calamities to which we are liable in the body, and there is more in those words of the gospel, that Jesus Christ bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows, to support and comfort us under them, than in all the writings of the philosophers. Let us not grudge labor, trouble, or expense in doing good to others. ~ Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

We clearly see two examples here; that spirits obey the the word spoken with spiritual authority, and the laying on of hands for healing. In modern practice of offering prayer for the sick, we must exercise caution and ask permission to touch any recipient. Then we need to know what we are doing and not touch in any questionable places, nor in a disturbing manner.

Read Charles and Frances Hunter’s books on healing to learn useful pointers about laying on of hands.

Comments