Jesus: My Healer and Deliverer

Get re-acquainted with the very beginning of Jesus' ministry by reading Mark 1:21-34.

Twice in this passage, we see observers respond to what Jesus is doing and saying with a big "WOW!"

In Mark 1:22, the people are amazed at his teaching - for he teaches as one with authority. (This was discussed in the message from March 18.)

But notice that in Mark 1:27, they are amazed once again:

MARK 1:27. Amazement gripped the audience, and they began to discuss what had happened. “What sort of new teaching is this?” they asked excitedly. “It has such authority! Even evil spirits obey his orders.”

Now the people are amazed because Jesus has demonstrated power over evil itself!

The gospels make it clear that Jesus' ministry of healing and deliverance is central to his work. Can it be that we should simply be impressed that Jesus performed these mighty wonders (but then assume they have no relevance for us today)?

Jesus makes it clear that there are hurts and pains in this world that need more than mere physical relief:

MARK 9:29. This kind [of evil spirit] can be cast out only by prayer.

Paul reminds us that we are involved in the very same struggle ourselves:

EPHESIANS 6:10, 12. Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power...for we are not fighting against flesh and blood enemies.

Jesus promises incredible resources as we are engaged in this struggle:

JOHN 14:12. I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.

Could it be that God is calling us to become a community of healing and deliverance that would cause the world around us to drop its jaw and say WOW – God really is still at work today.

Look at Jesus' promise to us:

JOHN 16:33. I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.


This Wikipedia article gives a rather comprehensive overview of various points of view regarding spiritual warfare. What do you think?


Kingdom Builders Prayer Institute is a ministry affiliated with Windsor Village United Methodist Church. Read some of the testimonies of God's mighty hand at work.


You can submit prayer requests, pray over prayer requests, and read reports of answered prayer from all over the world at the website of the World Methodist Prayer Team.


Here is an article written by the late Ray Stedman, titled The Forces We Face, based on the teachings of the Bible, and especially on Ephesians 6. How do you understand the arguments he is making?


In this article - The Presence-Based Church - the Rev. Terry Teykl describes a different type of church - that is not so much focused on "giving people what they want" as on "seeking the presence of God." What do you think about his ideas?

Jesus: My Teacher and Guide

MARK 1:22 – They were astounded at his teaching, for he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Jesus was indeed a teacher – but he was not like the teachers of the time. There was something different. What was it?

This passage tells us it was his authority. There was something in the claim that his teaching made that had an authority beyond compare. Jesus' teachings are certainly striking and powerful – but if that becomes our primary point of focus we can easily miss what is most unique about his teaching – the level of authority.


JOHN 14:6. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

When you are looking for a destination, most good teachers would give you directions, explaining the route. Jesus points to...himself...as he says “I am the way.” The Gospel of John is noted for the many different “I Am” statements that Jesus makes:

I am the living bread...
I am the light of the world...
I am the gate for the sheep...
I am the good shepherd...
I am the resurrection and the life...
I am the true vine...

Jesus repeatedly points to himself...and claims an authority that forces you to make a decision about who he is.


MATTHEW 11:28-30. Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

This passage helps us understand what kind of teacher and guide Jesus really is.


John Bowen shares these words to help us understand what "taking his yoke" upon ourselves really means:

Before we came to Canada twenty-something years ago, I thought I understood this image. Jesus was saying he is the farmer, I am the ox, I submit to his yoke, and as I pull the plough he follows behind and directs me. Right? Probably not. Soon after we came to Canada, we went to one of those living museums where everything is done as it was 100 years ago. And I saw there something that completely changed my understanding of Jesus' words: an ox-cart pulled by two oxen yoked together. And it was explained to us that one use of the double yoke was to train young oxen. The farmer would link together an experienced ox and a young ox, and, as they pulled the plough together, the older ox would demonstrate how it was done: the discipline, the patience, the obedience, the stick-to-itiveness.

That's what Jesus is saying by this picture. He is saying, I am already wearing the yoke of being God's person in God's world. Come and walk alongside me, share the yoke I'm already carrying, and I will teach you what I know.

What a wonderful teaching!


Look at what Bill Donahoe says about the authority of Jesus' teaching:

No one ever divided a room more quickly than this prophet from Nazareth. His presence was unmistakable. Some loved him – some hated him – but they never ignored him – and neither can you.


The great writer C. S. Lewis, in his book Mere Christianity, shares these challenging words:

A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic - on the level with a man who says he is a poached egg - or he would be the devil of hell. You must take your choice. Either this was, and is, the Son of God, or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with any patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us.

Jesus: My Friend and Companion

Amazingly Jesus is both fully God and fully man. He is both Lord and Friend. He is both Savior and Companion.

In the Bible we find a surprising level of intimacy in the language used to describe our relationship with Jesus.


JOHN 15:5. I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. (nrsv)

JOHN 15:15. I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father. (nrsv)

JOHN 14:23. Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. (nrsv)

JOHN 17:26. I have revealed you to them, and I will continue to do so. Then your love for me will be in them, and I will be in them. (nlt)


How do you build friendship with Jesus?

• Spending time together...
• Prayer...
• Bible study...
• The Lord's supper...

Read this section of the paper THIS HOLY MYSTERY, which focuses on the presence of Christ in the Lord's Supper.

As you come to know Jesus better, you will learn to ask..."Jesus, where are you working in my community? How can I join you in your work?"


The great hymns of faith also express this quality of friendship and companionship with Jesus.

I would love to tell you what I think of Jesus,
Since I found in Him a friend so strong and true.
I would tell you how He changed my life completely;
He did something no other friend could do.
No one ever cared for me like Jesus;
There's no other friend so kind as He.
No one else could take the sin and darkness from me;
O how much He cared for me.
(words by Charles Weigle)

Read the story here about the writing of this song.


There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one! No, not one!
None else could heal all our soul's diseases. No, not one! No, not one!
There's not an hour that he is not near us. No, not one! No, not one!
No night so dark but his love can cheer us. No, not one! No, not one!

Jesus knows all about our struggles, he will guide till the day is done;
There's not a friend like the lowly Jesus. No, not one! No, not one!
(words by Johnson Oatman, Jr.)


What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer!
Oh, what peace we often forfeit, oh, what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry everything to God in prayer.
(words by Joseph Scriven)

Jesus is the Friend of sinners, he can set you free.
If you trust him, he will save you, give you life anew.
He will walk along beside you, guide you day by day.
He will lead you on to glory, home forevermore!
(words by John W. Peterson)

The same is true of more contemporary praise songs!

Who am I that you are mindful of me? That you hear me when I call?
Is it true that you are thinking of me? How you love me...it's amazing.
I am a friend of God, I am a friend of God,
I am a friend of God, he calls me friend.
God Almighty, Lord of Glory, you have called me friend.
(words by Michael Gungor and Israel Houghton)


Read this paragraph, based on a book by Jack Hyles, focusing on Jesus as our friend:

My friend wrote me a love letter. He tells me in John 3:16 that he was sent by God so that if I believe in him, I should not perish but have everlasting life. He tells me in Romans 5:8 that while I was yet a sinner, he died for me. He tells me in Romans 8:28 that all things work together for good to those who love him and to those who are called according to his purpose. He reminds me in Philippians 4:13 that I can do all things through him who strengthens me. He tells me in John 14:1-3 that my heart should not be troubled but that I should believe God and believe also in him. He reminds me that in his Father's house are many dwelling places, and that he has gone to prepare a place for me, and he will come again receiving me to himself, so that where he is, there I may be also. He reminds me in Psalm 91:1 that if I dwell in the secret place of the Most High, I may abide under the shadow of the Almighty. In 1 Corinthians 13, he reminds me that his love will never fail.