First United Methodist Church
Clinton, Mississippi
Jesus the Healer – Sermon Series
In the Gospel of Mark what gets people’s attention is that Jesus is a healer. He heals the sick, the possessed, and even raises the dead. People seek him out in order to be healed, and end up getting more than they asked for. After months of a global pandemic, don’t we all want healing?
January 31- Healing for our Spirits
Jesus heals a man with an unclean spirit. The people who had come to hear Jesus teach got more than they bargained for. The word begins to spread around Galilee that there’s a new healer in town, one that has power even over the demons.
Mark 1:21-28
New Revised Standard Version
The Man with an Unclean Spirit
21 They went to Capernaum; and when the sabbath came, he entered the synagogue and taught. 22 They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. 23 Just then there was in their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit, 24 and he cried out, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.” 25 But Jesus rebuked him, saying, “Be silent, and come out of him!” 26 And the unclean spirit, convulsing him and crying with a loud voice, came out of him. 27 They were all amazed, and they kept on asking one another, “What is this? A new teaching—with authority! He[a] commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey him.” 28 At once his fame began to spread throughout the surrounding region of Galilee.
February 7- Healing for our Bodies
Peter’s mother-in-law is sick and near death. Jesus heals her and restores her health. Her first instinct is to begin serving Jesus and the disciples. There’s an understandable desire for those who have been healed to serve others. And Jesus has a deep desire to see everyone healed.
Mark 1:29-39
New Revised Standard Version
Jesus Heals Many at Simon’s House
29 As soon as they[a] left the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. 30 Now Simon’s mother-in-law was in bed with a fever, and they told him about her at once. 31 He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.
32 That evening, at sunset, they brought to him all who were sick or possessed with demons. 33 And the whole city was gathered around the door. 34 And he cured many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and he would not permit the demons to speak, because they knew him.
A Preaching Tour in Galilee
35 In the morning, while it was still very dark, he got up and went out to a deserted place, and there he prayed. 36 And Simon and his companions hunted for him. 37 When they found him, they said to him, “Everyone is searching for you.” 38 He answered, “Let us go on to the neighboring towns, so that I may proclaim the message there also; for that is what I came out to do.” 39 And he went throughout Galilee, proclaiming the message in their synagogues and casting out demons.
February 14 (The Transfiguration) Healing for our World
Peter, James, and John get a glimpse of who Jesus really his and answer to where this healing power comes from. Jesus is more than a prophet, more than a teacher, more than a healer. He is God, and on the holy mountain they get a glimpse of the true mission: bring healing to the world.
Mark 9:2-9
New Revised Standard Version
The Transfiguration
2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one[a] on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings,[b] one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved;[c] listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.
The Coming of Elijah
9 As they were coming down the mountain, he ordered them to tell no one about what they had seen, until after the Son of Man had risen from the dead.