1. The Nature, Character, and Will of God

Jesus shows us the true nature, character, and will of God. He shows us the Father perfectly. The fullness of God dwells in Jesus.

John 1:18 (NIV)

No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known.

Colossians 1:19

For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell,

Colossians 2:9

For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily;

Hebrews 1:3 (ESV)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…

John 14:9

… He who has seen Me has seen the Father; …

Colossians 1:15

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation.

John 5:19

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.

John 14:10

Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.

John 6:38

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

It is safe to conclude that God the Father is exactly like Jesus.

Therefore, on the subject of healing specifically, what does Jesus reveal about the Father’s will and nature? The importance of this question cannot be overstated.

Jesus never put sickness, disease, or pain on anyone. He didn’t use these things to teach, discipline, or mature people. Neither did Jesus ever strike someone with an infirmity in order to punish them.

Jesus never told someone that they needed to suffer a little longer (in order to learn a lesson) before He would help them. He never said to anyone that it wasn’t yet their appointed time for healing.

Jesus never left anyone sick telling them that their infirmity was their cross to bear.

Jesus never required people to remove a sin from their life before He would help them. In fact, He ministered first and only then said, “sin no more” (John 5:8-9, 14; John 8:10-11).

We know that Jesus is the perfect revelation of God the Father. If it were ever God’s will for people to be sick, Jesus would have demonstrated it. But He never did. Instead, He consistently healed, restored, and delivered.

Matthew 4:23-24

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

Matthew 8:16

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,

Matthew 9:35

Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

Matthew 12:15

But when Jesus knew it, He withdrew from there. And great multitudes followed Him, and He healed them all.

Matthew 14:14

And when Jesus went out He saw a great multitude; and He was moved with compassion for them, and healed their sick.

Matthew 15:30

Then great multitudes came to Him, having with them the lame, blind, mute, maimed, and many others; and they laid them down at Jesus’ feet, and He healed them.

Typically, no one really questions God’s ability to heal. They doubt His willingness to heal. In Mark 1:40-42, when the willingness of God to heal came up specifically, Jesus replied with the words, “I am willing”:

Mark 1:40-42

Jesus Cleanses a Leper

Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.”

Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” As soon as He had spoken, immediately the leprosy left him, and he was cleansed.

Question: Why was this exchange included in the Gospels?

There are many examples of Jesus healing people, so why was this particular interaction with the leper recorded? It reveals something vital: God, through Jesus Christ, is not only able, but also willing to heal all who come to Him.

Matthew 8:5-13

Jesus Heals a Centurion’s Servant

Now when Jesus had entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, pleading with Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralysed, dreadfully tormented.”

And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.”

The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a word, and my servant will be healed. For I also am a man under authority, having soldiers under me. And I say to this one, ‘Go,’ and he goes; and to another, ‘Come,’ and he comes; and to my servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it.”

When Jesus heard it, He marvelled, and said to those who followed, “Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel! And I say to you that many will come from east and west, and sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the sons of the kingdom will be cast out into outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Then Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way; and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” And his servant was healed that same hour.

There is much we can learn from this awesome account of Jesus healing the centurion’s servant, but one detail is especially striking: Jesus said, “I will come and heal him,” before the centurion had even fully explained what he wanted Him to do. Jesus did not hesitate, delay, or question whether healing was the Father’s will. He immediately expressed His willingness, even eagerness, to heal.

Luke 6:6-11

Healing on the Sabbath

Now it happened on another Sabbath, also, that He entered the synagogue and taught. And a man was there whose right hand was withered. So the scribes and Pharisees watched Him closely, whether He would heal on the Sabbath, that they might find an accusation against Him. But He knew their thoughts, and said to the man who had the withered hand, “Arise and stand here.” And he arose and stood. Then Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one thing: Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do evil, to save life or to destroy?” And when He had looked around at them all, He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And he did so, and his hand was restored as whole as the other. But they were filled with rage, and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus.

The actions of the scribes and Pharisees in Luke 6:6-11 are very revealing. They watched Jesus closely because they knew what He was like: when He saw sickness and brokenness, He wanted to heal. Their question was not whether Jesus wanted to heal the man with the withered hand, but whether He would do it on the Sabbath.

And of course, He did.

This perfectly reflects Acts 10:38: Jesus “went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil.”

Even His enemies recognised that His heart was to always heal and make whole.

Healing was a huge part of Jesus’ ministry when He walked the earth. He clearly placed great importance on it. Through both word and deed, He revealed that He wants people walking in health and wholeness.

It therefore stands to reason that Satan would aggressively attack and confuse people’s understanding of this subject. The enemy seeks to impugn the character, goodness, and love of God.

As we continue to read, study, and meditate on Scripture, we must always do so through the lens of Jesus Christ. No matter what, we need to always keep our eyes on Him.