Teenside Daily Devotional

4/29/20
Read Matthew 8:14-17.

I often find myself forgetting that Jesus can do almost anything with ease (the “almost” is addressed in the next paragraph). Here, he heals Peter’s mother-in-law just by touching her hand. Is that not crazy? I think so. Then he sends out demons with a word. He doesn’t need long incantations or some sort of spell. He didn’t need to carry around holy water. He has authority over all, and he used it. While we do have the ability to heal, it takes time and patience. Today’s doctors have no medicine or procedure to heal anything instantly. Yet, we see here that Jesus has no such restrictions. His power is limitless!

Matthew is again consistent in showing how Jesus fulfills the words of the prophets. The quotation in verse 17 is more of a paraphrase. This comes from Isaiah 53:4-5. I recommend that you go and read this as well because it gives a lot of insight into what Jesus is doing when he heals someone’s physical afflictions. The end of these verses reads “and with his wounds we are healed.” Each time that Jesus stopped and healed those that were brought to him, he was establishing himself as the Healer. All of his actions foreshadowed his sacrifice on the cross as the ultimate healing that we needed from the wounds of sin. If anything, this shows how far sin had taken us away from God. While Jesus could heal fever with a touch, it took his life to heal us of sin. This is the one thing that Jesus could not do with ease. He asked God to present another option if He willed. Yet, God knew what it would take, and Jesus went to the cross anyway. And if it took Jesus that much of his power, then we never would have stood a chance on our own. We should consider ourselves so blessed that he did this on our behalf! Thank him today for what he has done for you!

Questions:
*Take a moment to journal these questions. Write down your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Then date your entry. One of the coolest things is being able to look back and see how God came through for you.*

1. Take a moment today to focus on Jesus’ healing in your life. Notice that Jesus healed all the sick that were brought to Him (verse 16). He didn’t make any exceptions. What healing are you thankful for in your life? (It could be as broad as your salvation or as specific as a hurtful situation. Either way, think about what this healing has meant to you.)

2. What do you need Jesus to heal? Nothing is too big or small for Jesus to take on. He doesn’t make exceptions. He can and will heal all hurt that we bring to Him, as long as we open ourselves up to let him heal us. 

3. What do you need to do in order to allow Jesus to heal your wounds? You can’t expect to get well if you never go to the doctor, never explain your symptoms, or never take the medicine prescribed. How do you need to be vulnerable with Jesus? What places do you need to accept the truth He is speaking to you so that you can be made well?

Prayer: Spend some time praying about the things you journaled. Thank Jesus for being the Healer. Thank Him for His abundant, never-ending, grace. There are no exceptions to the healing He gives. Thank Him for the specific places in your life that He has healed and acknowledge His faithfulness to heal the hurt you have now. Allow yourself to be vulnerable, as you stop trying to fight the pain by yourself, and give it over to Jesus. Nothing is too big or too small for Him to handle. Pray that you would take the medicine He prescribes and hang on every bit of truth He reveals to you. It is this truth that gives life where there was once death (Proverbs 4:20-23).


Song: Graves into Gardens- Elevation Worship

Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/169Fs68hROYRdS362T8D9w