I was reading in the book of Matthew today. I've read through it before, but today a particular verse jumped out at me and I was just wondering about something. Chapter 8, verses 16 and 17 say: "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, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: 'He Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.'"
So here is my question: When Jesus healed those who were sick, does that mean that he actually took those sicknesses upon himself and felt them in his body? I know Jesus didn't take the demons on himself, but it does say "He bore our sicknesses". I had just never thought about that happening to Jesus when he healed people. Maybe he didn't take on the exact disease he was healing, (meaning he didn't become a leper, blind, or deaf), but did SOMETHING physically happen to Him when He healed someone? The Bible does often say that Jesus retreated into the wilderness to pray after he would heal people.
Also, in Mark chapter 5, when the woman with the blood condition reached out to touch Him, it says in verses 30 and 31 "And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that power had gone out of Him, turned around in the crowd and said, 'Who touched my clothes?' But His disciples said to Him, 'You see the multitude thronging You, and You say, 'Who touched me?'" So it wasn't just that He felt someone touch Him, because He was in a crowd and lots of people were touching Him. He felt POWER go out of Him when that woman was healed. So do you think that something physically happened to Jesus every time he healed someone? Maybe that is why he retreated into the wilderness so much?
I am just speculating, wondering. I might not be interpreting this correctly. Let me know what you guys think.
5 comments:
Hey, Tabby,
To answer your question, well, to give you my opinion, I believe that power did leave Jesus--to the point where he felt tired. When he went away, I believe he prayed and rested, just like we would after a long day, just magnified.
I'm thinking that, too. He felt the power leave and he felt exhaustion. He was human, so he probably did feel that he had a long day at work. Again, I'm speculating like Jeanette.
Tabby,
Just visiting blogland while my husband is watching football, and saw your question about Matthew 8:16-17. According to my commentary (which I love!)
"Matthew continues to show Jesus' kingly nature. Through a single touch, Jesus healed (8:3 & 15); when he spoke a singe word, evil spirits fled his presence (8:16). Jesus has authority to conquer sin. Sickness and evil are consequences of living in a fallen world."
I have memorized Isaiah 53, it is one of those passages I meditate on during the Lord's supper. The word pictures that I thought of over the years is similar to what you are saying. Jesus took it all upon himself. v. 5-6 "But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all."
Thanks for the opportunity to dig deeper. I just love being in the Word!
Ever in His Presence,
Allene
That's a really good thought. You would think he would feel it, but being human I don't know how he'd feel like.
Hmm, I'm not sure if I understand what I just typed!
Deep thoughts by Tabby.
I copied the book list from my friend Tara's blog, so copy away! I just thought it would be neat to see what and how many I've read in a year.
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