The Life of Jesus: Jesus the Healer

Healing as Part of Scriptural Tradition The healing narratives that appear in scripture work to inspire one’s faith as well as their curiosity. For many, the acts of healing that may be discovered during the course of Catholic study speak to the true power of God that is present in their lives. In the Gospels of the New Testament, one can see several healing acts performed by Jesus of Nazareth. By reading of the Joy that is experienced by those who are touched by the life of Jesus, one may also experience the joy of the Gospel itself. Interpreting the Healing Episodes When examining the healing episodes during Catholic study, it is important to understand what these narratives are attempting to tell the reader. In each case, the instances of healing that are seen in the New Testament work to show the reader who Jesus of Nazareth truly was. An example of this can be seen when Jesus heals the paralytic in Mark 2:12. In healing the paralytic, Jesus makes it clear that he has the power to forgive sins. This display of authority is just one of the ways that the healing narratives attempt to display to the reader the full picture of the life of Jesus. The Life of Jesus as a Healer As the Gospels tell us, Jesus of Nazareth performed miraculous acts of healing throughout the course of his life. In the course of Catholic study, one may rightly wonder why, exactly, these acts of healing are taking place. It goes without saying that Jesus felt compassion for those in need, and that indeed may be one reason these healings take place, however it is not the only reason. In healing, Jesus shows that he is God, with many who see these acts becoming his disciples. The True Sickness Though restoring the sick to health was indeed a concern of Jesus of Nazareth, it may be said that his primary motivation for the healings displayed in the New Testament was to inspire faith in God. In the course of one’s Catholic study, it may be beneficial for the believer to gain a deeper understanding of these healings. In curing the sick, Jesus is not only relieving them of physical ailments, but also freeing them from sin. It may be said, then, that a major purpose of the Life of Jesus was to cure man of his sinfulness. The Transformative Power of Healing The miracles of healing performed during the life of Jesus as described in the Gospels can be seen to carry with them different meanings that vary based on which Gospel they occur in. In the synoptic Gospels, for example, faith is something of a prerequisite to being healed by Jesus of Nazareth. In contrast; the Gospel of John shows us that the miracles may sometimes lead to faith. In each instance, however, one who is adept in their Catholic study will notice that these healings act as signs that can work to transform the lives of those who receive them. Healing, Discipleship, and Christology The healing episodes which took place during the life of Jesus worked to bestow upon those who received them a greater understanding of the person of Jesus of Nazareth, as well as inspired them to walk with him in discipleship. One who is diligent in Catholic study may be able to identify this as speaking to the power conveyed by these acts. By allowing the reader to see the effect that these miracles have on those who received them, these acts display the power of Jesus himself. The Meaning of These Episodes for Today’s Catholic While engaging in Catholic study, the believer of the present day should be careful to search for the deeper meaning inherent in the miracles performed by Jesus of Nazareth. For the inquisitive believer, these are not simply stories to be enjoyed. Rather, they are lessons which give the astute reader a clearer picture of the Life of Jesus, and what the healings he performed signified. In scripture, one can see the transformative power of these miracles, as they bestow upon the receiver the power of God in their lives.