‘A centurion came to Him, saying, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented.” And Jesus said to him, “I will come and heal him.” The centurion answered and said, “Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof. But only speak a Word and my servant will be healed”…Jesus said to the centurion, “Go your way and as you have believed, so let it be done for you.” His servant was healed that same hour’ (Matthew 8:5-13).

One of the key features of Jesus’ ministry was miraculous healing and because, ‘Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever’ (Hebrews 13:8), we can still believe for healings. James encouraged the sick to, ‘Call for the elders of the church and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up’ (James 5:14-15).

Jesus warned that unbelief is a hinderance to witnessing miracles and healings (Matthew 13:58), and He explained we may witness one person being healed, whilst others are still in need (Luke 4:27). Paul was sick (2 Corinthians 12:5-10), and Timothy’s frequent illnesses led to practical aid (1 Timothy 5:23); Paul also had to leave Trophimus because he was ill (2 Timothy 4:20). These men had seen the Holy Spirit’s gifts of healings and miracles at work, nevertheless they still had physical problems, as they accepted they were still living in the unredeemed body of death (Romans 7:24).

Healings can and do take place today, and in the Bible we find that signs, wonders and healings, as in the case of the centurion, are often given to help people find faith in Christ. Jesus said, “Many,” from all over the world will sit down with Him in His Kingdom. If the temporal healing of a body which will still die (1 Corinthians 15:52-54), helps to save a soul, then the manifestation of power has proved its eternal worth.

This is an excerpt from the book ‘Jesus Today - Daily Devotional - 100 Days with Jesus Christ’ by Paul Backholer and is used by permission.