Browse Bible Study Resources

Intermediate Sunday School Lesson 49 : THE MINISTRY OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST

Text: Matthew 8:14-17
8 January 2023

INTRODUCTION

1. The Ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ
This is a major focus in the Gospels

2. Three distinct ministries may be noted:

a) Preaching/ Teaching
b) Training of Disciples
c) Healing/ Casting out demons

THE LORD’S HEALING MINISTRY

1. This may be done in public

2. This may also be done in private
(In the presence of a limited few, like the Disciples)

3. The healing of the mother-in-law of Peter

14 Now when Jesus had come into Peter’s house, He saw his wife’s mother lying sick with a fever.

15 So He touched her hand, and the fever left her. And she arose and served them.
Matthew 8:14-15
29 Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John.
30 But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once.
31 So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them.

Mark 1:29-31

1. The Lord Jesus was informed about the illness of Peter’s mother-in-law

2. He went to her home and restored her to health

3. The restored mother-in-law served the Lord Jesus immediately after she was made well

HEALING OF MANY SICK PEOPLE

16 When evening had come, they brought to Him many who were demon-possessed. And He cast out the spirits with a word, and healed all who were sick,
17 that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying:
“He Himself took our infirmities
And bore our sicknesses.”

Matthew 8:16-17

 

1. The healing ministry of the Lord Jesus was described succinctly here

a) All who were possessed by demons were healed
b) All who were ill were also restored to full health

2. An important comment

a) Matthew cited Isaiah 53:4
b) This gives us a deeper appreciation of how the Lord Jesus undertook this ministry of healing

3. He took our infirmities and bore our illnesses

a) There is deep identification with those who are ill
i) There is understanding
ii) There is affection too
b) There is also deep compassion
i) For those who are suffering
ii) There is a desire to help them in every way possible

4. The power of God at work

a) There is the application of the power of God
i) The power of God was applied to cast out demons
ii) The power of God was there to bring about healing too
b) This is authentication:
i) Of the Person of the Lord Jesus Christ
ii) Of the ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ too

CONCLUSION

1. Illness

a) It is a reality of life
b) Our challenge is to seek the grace and mercy of God

2. Illumination

a) Let us be illumined by what we read in the Gospels and the Epistles
b) There is power with the Lord to help us get well
c) But the Lord would also have us learn deep lessons about:
i) Faith
ii) Prayer
iii) Humility
iv) Serving the Lord