Healing Is In the Spoken Word

And, behold, there came a leper and worshipped him, saying, “Lord, if thou wilt, thou can make me clean.” And Jesus put forth his hand, and touched him saying, “I will; be thou clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed. ---Matthew 8:2-3

Jesus did two things when He was moved with compassion: First, He touched the leper. Second, He said something to him. We often think that at the moment Jesus touched someone, that person was healed. But this man’s leprosy didn’t depart until Jesus said something. Apparently, His words were as important as His touch.

What did Jesus say to the leper? “Be thou clean.” He gave the command for the leprosy to depart. But He also said something else—the phrase most Christians are looking for—“I will.” Notice what Jesus didn’t say. He didn’t say, “I won’t” or “Later.” He didn’t say, “You are too far gone,” or “This disease is good for you.” Jesus also didn’t say, “You deserve this” or “God sent this leprosy to teach you something.”

Jesus also didn’t have to fast and pray to find out God’s heart and mind. He just said, “I will.” He knew God’s will. He also knew one of His purposes for coming to earth was to destroy all the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), including sickness and disease. Part of Jesus’ commission was to heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils and bring deliverance to all mankind—spirit, soul and body.

As we read in the Gospels, as Jesus traveled to the villages, He healed all who were sick and oppressed. God never told Jesus to just seek out a few here and there who needed healing. Jesus was sent to heal all! So when that man said, “If You will,” Jesus responded, “Of course I will! Why shouldn’t I heal you? God’s will is healing for all mankind!”

Confession: My Father sent Jesus to destroy the works of the devil which includes sickness. Sickness isn’t in God’s plan for me. Therefore, I declare and decree healing in my body and I receive it by faith!