Summary: Teaching on Healing – Luke 5:12–26
Overview This Bible study session, part of an ongoing study through the book of Luke, focuses on the topic of healing — specifically what obstacles prevent people from receiving healing and what the Scriptures reveal about God’s will in this area.
Key Passages Covered
- Luke 5:12–26 (the leper and the paralyzed man)
- Luke 8:40–48 (the woman with the discharge of blood)
- Mark 9:14–29 (the boy with the unclean spirit)
- Supporting passages from Psalms 30, 103, 107, Isaiah 53–54, and 2 Chronicles 15
Core Theme Healing cannot be treated as an isolated topic — it is woven throughout all of Scripture and connects deeply to faith, forgiveness, prayer, and relationship with God.
Key Lessons from the Healing Records
1. The Leper (Luke 5:12–14) — Obstacle: Doubt of God’s willingness The man believed Christ could heal him but wasn’t sure Christ would. Jesus immediately responded “I will,” establishing that God is willing to heal. Jesus then instructed the man to follow the Mosaic law (Leviticus 14), showing that healing operates within obedience and order.
2. The Paralyzed Man (Luke 5:17–26) — Obstacle: Sin consciousness Before healing the man, Jesus forgave his sins first. The suggestion is that the man’s awareness of past sin may have blocked his confidence to receive healing. Jesus used this moment to demonstrate that the Son of Man has authority both to forgive sins and to heal — addressing guilt as a barrier to wholeness.
3. The Woman with the Discharge of Blood (Luke 8:43–48) — Obstacle: Going everywhere else first After 12 years of illness and exhausting all medical options, she came to Jesus as a last resort, touching the hem of his garment in faith. The contrast drawn is with David in Psalm 30, who went directly to God. The lesson: ideally God is our first resort, not our last — though even coming last in desperation, with faith, is enough.
4. The Boy with the Unclean Spirit (Mark 9:14–29) — Obstacle: Little faith, and the role of the believer The father’s honest cry — “I believe; help my unbelief” — is presented as a model of humble, imperfect faith that Jesus honored immediately. Jesus also rebuked the disciples privately, noting this kind of spirit required a lifestyle of prayer, not just in-the-moment prayer.
Broader Points Made
- It is God’s will to heal. Christ healed all who came to him (Matthew 4:24, 8:16, etc.), and as the exact image of God (Colossians 1:15, Hebrews 1:3) always doing the Father’s will (John 5:20), this establishes healing as God’s intent.
- Faith grows through the Word. “Faith comes by hearing, hearing by the Word.” Little faith is a starting point, not a disqualifier.
- Prayer is essential. Jesus repeatedly withdrew to pray despite enormous crowds and needs around him — modeling that intimacy with God must be maintained above all activity.
- Common obstacles to healing include: doubt of God’s willingness, sin consciousness, sense of unworthiness, fear, and seeking every other solution before God.
- Healing glorifies God and enables people to live fully, serve others, and reflect His goodness.
Closing Thought The broken body and shed blood of communion represent both forgiveness of sins and physical healing — two aspects of Christ’s complete work as Savior. The encouragement is to approach God boldly (Hebrews 4:16), with whatever measure of faith one has, trusting that God desires wholeness for His people.