3 Ways to Receive Healing from Jesus

He hides his deformity to enter the temple. But he must stretch out his shriveled hand for all to see.

She shouldn't be touching anyone. But a woman with a bleeding issue reaches out to touch a corner of Jesus' robe.

He cannot get to Jesus on his own. But a paralytic is carried by faithful believers and lowered through the roof and into Jesus' presence.

Three people. Three methods of receiving healing from Jesus. All resulted in being loved and accepted and made whole again. 

Jesus was in the synagogue on a Sabbath, teaching the religious leaders a lesson on priorities and legalism. He told the man to stand in front of everyone and stretch out his hand, and the man did as Jesus said. He obeyed Jesus, and his hand was restored.

The woman did not want to be noticed in the crowd, but quietly made her way to Jesus, and touched the smallest corner of his robe. She believed and reached out for Jesus, and she was healed.

The paralytic could do nothing to reach Jesus. He either asked friends for help, or he had people in his life who were bold believers, and who cared enough to take him to be healed. At best he asked for help, but we know for sure that he had people around him who acted on his behalf to take him to Jesus, and he walked away a new man.

Desperation can motivate us and give us courage to do what we wouldn't normally do, so we can escape where we (or someone we love) are in life and move to a better place. Are you hiding something so you can be accepted as "normal" and be allowed into fellowship? Obey Jesus, bring it into the light, and show everyone exactly what you're dealing with. You will be forgiven, and the road to healing will begin.

Are you at the end of yourself, exhausted and depressed to the point of isolation, weary of being an outcast? Even the smallest step toward Jesus is a step toward healing. Reach out to Him, say His name. He is full of compassion, understanding and love for you. He accepts you as family, and he will not leave your side.

Are you paralyzed with fear, anxiety, chronic pain or fatigue, to the point that you can do nothing but rely on others? Ask faithful followers for prayer, for help. Let them carry you to Jesus when you can't seem to get to him on your own. You are not alone. 

These broken people are our heroes, our inspiration. May their actions be our "influencers" toward the next step.

The man with the deformed hand: Matt. 12:9-13; Mark 3:1-6; Luke 6:6-11

Woman with a bleeding issue: Matt. 9:20-22; Mark 5:25-34; Luke 8:43-48

Paralytic: Mark 2:1-12; Luke 5:17-26