Scott Allen leads today's lesson from Matthew 8:1-4, 14-17 and 9:1-8. For every need and affliction in life, Jesus holds the answer. He has the power to heal illness and cast out demonic oppressors. There is no question about His ability, but do not presume upon His sovereignty. Jesus cares and is often willing to make us whole as we see with a leper, a sick mother-in-law, needy individuals in a crowd seeking Jesus, and a paralyzed man. As we look closely at these stories, we see that Jesus heals with kingdom priorities. Jesus does not do humanitarian work for its own sake. He proclaims the kingdom and then does miracles that authenticate the message of repentance. Yes, he may be willing to heal us, but always with an eye towards a right relationship with God. Above our physical and health needs is the need for the forgiveness of sin and peace with God. Spiritual matters are always Jesus' priority.
