TEXT: Matthew 14:14-21; Mark 8:1-3; Luke 9:11,16,17
Matthew 14:14-21;
14 And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.
15 And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.
16 But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.
17 And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.
18 He said, Bring them hither to me.
19 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.
20 And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.
21 And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.
Mark 8:1-3
1 In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,
2 I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:
3 And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers of them came from far.
Luke 9:11,16-17
• 11 And the people, when they knew it, followed him: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing.
16 Then he took the five loaves and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed them, and brake, and gave to the disciples to set before the multitude.
17 And they did eat, and were all filled: and there was taken up of fragments that remained to them twelve baskets.
INTRODUCTION:
As we read these chapters and verses today, we are looking at the message titled Christ’s Compassionate Healing And of Food and it is divided into three parts:
A. THE COMPASSIONATE HEALING OF THE SICK BY CHRIST
Christ healed because He had compassion and the compassion is still there today.
1. The Promise of Healing by the Compassionate Christ (Matthew 8:7-10,13; 14:14; Mark 9:22-27; Hebrews 13:8)
He promised that He will heal the sick because He is compassionate, unlimited and unchanging Christ who is the same yesterday, today and forever. Where did He promise to heal the sick?
Matthew 8:7. He promised to come and heal the servant of the Centurion who came to Him for help. This promise extends to all who come to Him today for salvation, healing and Deliverance. He is the impartial Christ who always say good, positive and practical things to everyone who comes to Him. As He says this to everyone on the earth who comes to Him, He will be good to you and heal you spirit, soul and body today because He has not changed.
Mark 9:22. A father brought the case of his vexed and epileptic child to the Lord, asking for help. He previously brought the case to the disciples but they could not do anything, so He came back to see the Lord when He came around. He has come to you today to solve all the problems you have taken to different places and got no solution. The father didn’t give up, and you must not give up.
You know, something must give us: either you or the problem. But this man would not give up, so the malady gave up. When the seeker refuse to give up, the malady has to give up. You will not give up and the sickness will give up. Jesus said unto the father, “If you thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth”.
All things are possible to you because you believe. Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, and today, and forever. Today, the 28th day of the month of August, 2022, Jesus will be good to you because He is still the same and has not changed.
2. The Progress of the Healed with Constant Consecration (Mark 10:51-52; John 4:51-53; 9:35-38; Luke 8:38-40)
We need to understand how the people of that time behaved and reacted after they were healed. He restored the sight of a blind Bartimaeus who cried unto him. The Lord asked him what he wanted, and he said he wanted to receive his sight. The key is in your hands, what you say is what you receive. Jesus told him to go his way because his faith has made him whole. Your faith has made you whole. It is done already. What did the man do after receiving his sight? He followed the Lord in the way, he didn’t go back to idol-worship, or to nightclub, gang, herbalists. This was how the people who received healing from the Lord did in those days.
This nobleman left his son almost dead and came to Jesus to come and heal him. Jesus told him to go because his son was healed already. As he was going on his way, his servant met and told him that his son was made whole. He asked the servant what time he began to amend, and he was told that around the 7th hour, and it happened that it was the same hour that Jesus pronounced his healing. What happened afterwards? The man believed, and his whole house. It is good that after receiving healing from the Lord, you and your house follow and serve Him.
John 9:35-38. This is the man born blind whom Jesus restored his sight. He argued with the Jewish leaders when they tried to brand Jesus bad, and they cast him out of the temple. When Jesus saw him, He asked him if he believed on the Lord, and he asked who the Lord was. Jesus told him He was the one and he confessed the Lordship of Jesus and worshipped Him. What do they do? They worship Him as Lord.
Luke 8:38-39. The man who was delivered of the spirit of madness wanted to follow Jesus but He told him to go and tell his household what great things the Lord has done for him.
vs 40. He did exactly what the Lord instructed him and went round to share his testimony. By the time Jesus came back to that city, multitude were waiting for Him by reason of the sharing of the testimony of the man.
Now as you go back home, you have seen the miracles, signs and wonders of the Lord, don’t go back to gossip and irrelevant discussions, go and tell people what the Lord, not anyone has done. This is the best way you can show gratitude to Him for all He has done for you.
3. The Preservation of Health and Complete Cure (John 5:14; Proverbs 4:20-23; Psalm 103:1-5; 1 John 5:18)
The people who received their healing were not oscillating between health and sickness, how were they able to maintain the healing and cure the Lord gave them?
John 5:14. Christ met the man who was healed of palsy in the synagogue, not in the beer parlor, not in the shrine of the idol, not in the house of a strange woman. He then told him that he should sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon him. He got healing with grace, forgiveness and salvation, and on this basis, he should go and sin, lie, steal, deceive, fight, transgress or sin no more, this was how they kept their healing and deliverance.
Proverbs 4:20-22. Read your Bible and see the promises and precepts of God everyday. There you will see how you should live and you will not allow the word to depart from your heart. What is the result? They are life and health to their flesh.
Psalm 103:1-3. You are to glorify everytime and show gratitude to God every time. Bless and praise God every time and your health and strength will be renewed day by day and as the eagle’s.
1 John 5:18 “We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not.” The man born of God cannot continue to sin, the old lifestyle of sin has departed from him. He is a new creature and the seed of God is in him. He also keeps himself from sin and the wicked one cannot touch him. This is how to keep healing and remain healthy. You will not lose your healing and every miracle you have in Jesus name.
B. THE CONSIDERATE PROVISION OF FOOD THROUGH HIS CARE
Jesus cared so much them at that time, and He still cares today. He is considerate and provides food because He cares. He did not only give healing, He also gave food for their health for their strength.
1. The Food and Foundation of Health and Happiness (Matthew 14:15-21; Acts 14:17; 27:33-34; Matthew 6:26,33)
Jesus did not send the people back home so that they will not faint on the way. He provided food for them. Food is the foundation of good health. A hungry person is not a happy person generally. The one who lacks food lacks happiness and God in His mercy sends provision to His Children.
Acts 27:33. Apostle Paul encouraged the people who were with him on the journey to eat some meal because they have not eaten for 14 days because of the storm they encountered. Some people, when they have lost close relatives, they are unable to eat because they have lost their appetite. So, the Apostle pleaded with them to eat for their health’s sake. God provides food for us so we can remain healthy and strong.
2. The Food of Faith for Holding our Healing (Matthew 4:4; Romans 10:17; Job 23:12; 2 Corinthians 4:13)
There is food for the stomach and food of faith. The natural, normal food is for the belly, but there is life beyond the belly. Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God. Faith comes by hearing the word of God. The faith to be saved, healed and delivered comes from the word of God you hear.
What you eat is for the body while the word of God you hear is for your soul and spirit. How many times do you take the word of God in the week? Daily or once a week? If you skip meals, your body will not be fit, so it is with spiritual food, the word of God. If you don’t take it regularly, you will be spiritually weak. When you hear the word of God in the church, when you get home, you go over it again, checking the references because faith comes by hearing the word of God.
Job 23:12. Job said he never went back from the commandments from the mouth of God, and he also lifted and valued the word of God more than his necessary food. This is what builds your faith and you are able to keep your healing, the provisions and goodness which God has showered over you.
3. The Food for Fitness in Holiness for Heaven (John 6:27,63; Galatians 2:20; 1 Peter 2:2,9; 1:2-5,14-16)
Athletes eat for fitness. They eat, sleep and exercise at the appropriate time, they also engage their bodies with adequate training. If they eat regularly but don’t engage in regular activities, the food will deposit fats into their bodies. If they spend up to 4 hours watching television everyday, their bodies will become weak. We are told that some people spend up 19 hours per week watching television. Not that they are watching anything sinful, but that their bodies are not getting the requisite exercises. If you eat at the right time and exercise normally, you will be fit for what you are called to do.
It is also necessary to eat spiritual food for fitness for heaven so that your depraved nature can dealt with. Endeavour to eat it regularly so that you can be well prepared and ready for heaven.
1 Peter 2:2. New converts and old timers must not allow activities, day to day running of business, profession, or family to take them away from God’s word. You must desire the sincere milk of the word so that you can grow.
vs 9. You are a chosen generation. A church, not a sinful, depraved, selfish, self-centered nation, but a nation consecrated to God, a nation within a larger nation, a small circle within a bigger circle, an holy nation and a peculiar people. You must show forth His praise, having called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.
ch 1:3-5. There are inheritances reserved in heaven for all who are kept by the word of God, that is why it is very important to take in enough of the word of God.
vs 14-16. We will only be able to get to heaven when we are obedient to God’s word, and are holy, and peaceful with all men. Blessed are the pure in heart because they shall see God. The word of God is the food that makes us fit for holiness and prepares believers for eternal life in heaven.
C. THE COMPOSITE HEALTH PLAN FOR ALL SAINTS UNDER HIS COVENANT. Psalm 67:2; 3 John vs 2
Man is a composite being having body, soul and spirit. By our bodies, we are able to contact the world around us. Our eyes, ears, hands, feet, ourselves, every part are created so we can contact the world around us.
The soul is the part of us that feels sad, sorrowful, joyful. This is why the Psalmist said, why art thou cast down, o my soul because of the pain and rejection he felt at that time. It is the soul that helps us to feel different emotions and be conscious of our personality.
In our spirit we contact God, not by our hands or any part of the body. It is in our spirit we are conscious of the presence of God and the presence of the Holy Ghost. And He has made provisions for the health of all components of our being. Healing for spirit, soul and body.
3 John vs 2. It is the will of God for us to be healthy body, soul and spirit.
1. The Promised Healing for the Sick Body (Exodus 15:26; 23:25-26; Matthew 8:7-8,16-17; Mark 16:17-20)
Exodus 15:26
• And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that healeth thee.
ch 23:25-26. You will not serve the devil, or idols, but the Lord your God and He will take sicknesses away from you. Nothing will cast your young and the number of your days you will fulfill.
Matthew 8:7-8. The Centurion told the Lord not to bother coming to His house but to speak the word only, and his servant will be healed, and that was exactly what happened. Jesus healed all who were sick so that the word of God might be fulfilled.
Mark 16:17-20
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
2. Peaceful Healing for a Sin-Sick Soul (Psalm 41:3-4; Psalm 6:2-4; Jeremiah 31:11-12; Luke 4:18)
Just as we bring the body to the Lord when it is sick, we also come to the Lord when the soul is troubled, hurt and traumatized. There is no peace for the wicked, and that the sin-sick soul will be healed. The sorrow in the soul paralyzes it.
Psalm 6:2-4. There are times when the soul needs deliverance and healing.
Jeremiah 31:11-12. When those who are stronger than you are making your life miserable and shooting arrows at you, and it’s like you cannot have peace, here is a promise from the Lord that He has redeemed Jacob and ransomed him from the hands of those who are stronger than he is. All those who are stronger than you are under your feet in Jesus name.
Luke 4:18. The sorrow of the heart is taken away. The Lord has been anointed to preach the gospel to the poor, and to heal the brokenhearted, not those who are sick physically, to preach deliverance to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, and to set at liberty those who are bruised.
3. The Precious Healing of the Sickened Spirit (1 Samuel 1:15-18; Psalm 147:3-5; Hosea 14:4, 8-9; 3 John 1:2)
1 Samuel 1:15-18. Hannah was not sick in the body, but was of a sorrowful spirit. The priest declared that she should go in peace because her petition was granted. Then she was happy and her countenance was no more sad. I pray that the Lord will heal your soul and spirit. This is the inner healing which is as important as the bodily healing.
Psalm 147:3-5. You look at yourself as a composite being and if any part is injured, traumatized, sorrowful, disheartened and weighed down, you bring it to the Lord. As He heals your body, He will also heal your spirit and soul. God heals broken hearts, and bodies, He is great and of great power. He will heal you through and through.
Hosea 14:4,8-9. God promised to heal our backsliding. Every prodigal son or daughter He will welcome back home. He will shower His love upon them. There is all-round healing for all.
3 John 1:2
Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.
How do we prosper if any part of the body is not in good health and in pain? If there is pain in any part of the body? If there is sorrow in the heart and heartache, if the wounded spirit is carrying a burden that is greater than its ability, if the wounded heart is in pain and the tears are flowing
You sleep and sleep well, not that you wake up to ease yourself and cannot sleep again and you are thinking and thinking. In the day you are not peaceful, same in the night. You may say that you are not sick or your legs are not broken. But you are not at peace in the night and day. That is why Jesus came to give you composite healing in your body, soul and spirit. Something happened in the day and guilt and condemnation will not allow you to sleep at night. This is why Jesus came, bringing perfect healing to you. You will be a beloved of the Lord. Your soul will prosper.
A prospered soul is the one who calls upon the name of the Lord and receives answers, and reads the word of God and receives understanding, revelation, and inspiration. When he asks from heaven, he receives, in the place of work/business, every door is open, there is favour and blessing of God flowing freely. His head does not lack ointment and his voice does not lack assurance and his heart does not lack the joy of the Lord. The Lord is with him at all times and then you can say that soul is prospered.
I pray that all the prosperity provided for your spirit, soul and body will be yours in Jesus name. Today, as you pray, God will answer. God will take sadness away and His joy will be your strength in Jesus name. You will be happy, healthy, holy and heavenly-minded. You will soon get there.
Rise and tell the Lord to provide for you all-round health in your spirit, soul and body.
