The Daily Word: Thursday, February 25th, 2021
Leviticus 16:29-18:30
Mark 7:24-8:10
Psalm 41:1-13
Proverbs 10:15-16
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Commentary from Pastor Michael White:
Then they brought to Him one who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech, and they begged Him to put His hand on him. And He took him aside from the multitude, and put His fingers in his ears, and He spat and touched his tongue. Then, looking up to heaven, He sighed, and said to him, “Ephphatha,” that is, “Be opened.” – Mk. 7:32-34
Jesus healed everywhere He went. But notice how Jesus prayed every time healing happened. In this verse, healing happened when Jesus “said” (v 34). Jesus spoke, and this man “who was deaf and had an impediment in his speech” (v 32) was completely healed: his ears were opened and his tongue was loosed. Jesus commanded the man to be healed, and he was!
Whenever Jesus heals in Scripture, He isn’t asking God to heal. He is commanding the body of the sick person to be healed. Do you see the difference? He doesn’t have to ask God to make provision for something God has already provided. Healing is the children’s bread (Matt. 15:26)![1] It is part of our Covenant with God (Ps. 103:3).[2] So Jesus didn’t need to ask; He just needed to command. “Ephphatha,” he said! And “…immediately his ears were opened, and the impediment of his tongue was loosed, and he spoke plainly” (v 35).
When Jesus commanded, healing happened. And do you know what? You have His authority. He gave it to you. He started with all authority (Matt. 28:18).[3] And then He distributed it to His disciples: first the twelve (Lk. 9:1),[4] then another “seventy others also” (Lk. 10:1),[5] and finally to all believers (Mk. 16:17).[6] You have His authority, and you are filled with His Spirit (Rom. 8:11)![7] And that means you get to command sickness to leave, just like Jesus, and expect exactly the same results.
Jesus never commanded you to pray for the sick. He told you to heal them.
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” – Matt. 10:8
Prayer:
Father, help me to command with the heavenly authority I have been given, just like Jesus did. When He commanded, healing happened! And I know I have been given His authority and His Spirit. I will be faithful to command! And I thank You, God, that You are faithful to heal.
© Michael D. White, 2021. All rights reserved.
[1] “But He answered and said, ’It is not good to take the children’s bread and throw it to the little dogs.’” – Matt. 15:26
[2] “Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name! Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases…” – Ps. 103:1-3
[3] “And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.’” – Matt. 28:18
[4] “Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases.” – Lk. 9:1
[5] “After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go.” – Lk. 10:1
[6] “And these signs will follow those who believe…” – Mk. 16:17
[7] “But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” – Rom. 8:11