I was just reading from Matthew's Gospel and as struck by something that I need to think more about - namely how healing and miracles are part of the God's justice. Here are the verses - Matthew 12:15-21 NIV:
[15] "Aware of this, Jesus withdrew from that place. A large crowd followed him, and he healed all who were ill. [16] He warned them not to tell others about him. [17] This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah:
[18] “Here is my servant whom I have chosen, the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him, and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
[19] He will not quarrel or cry out; no one will hear his voice in the streets.
[20] A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
[21] In his name the nations will put their hope.”
It is interesting that Jesus came proclaiming the Kingdom of Heaven, then demonstrating the Kingdom realities through healing and miracles, and Isaiah prophetically spoke about this calling it "proclaiming justice". I need to dig into the original Greek and Hebrew words that are translated as justice here, but just looking at our English definition for the word provides some insight. Justice is defined by Webster's Dictionary as the following:
1 a : the maintenance or administration of what is just especially by the impartial adjustment of conflicting claims or the assignment of merited rewards or punishments
b : judge
c : the administration of law; especially : the establishment or determination of rights according to the rules of law or equity
2 a : the quality of being just, impartial, or fair
So if we think about the healing of all illnesses, for that is the context in which these verses from Isaiah are quoted, then the proclamation of justice must be related to the healing of illnesses. If we go back to the beginning to the story of Adam and Eve, it is through their sin, their disobedience that stewardship of the the creation on earth was lost. As a part of this, nature was corrupted, and sin entered the world, affecting all creation. Sickness and disease are a part of that corruption, for prior to their sin all was "very good" in the Garden.
Part of justice is establishing the rules of law, and Jesus was proclaiming the laws of the Kingdom, the dominion of the King, which includes the establishment of His laws. Apparently all illness and sickness is outlawed in the Kingdom of God, and Jesus is proclaiming that and demonstrating the authority to cast out illness and sickness in the Kingdom. Jesus is practicing justice by establishing the right rule of the Kingdom.
Jesus taught His disciples to pray that way in Matthew 6:9-10 NIV:
[9] “This, then, is how you should pray: “ 'Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, [10] your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."
He taught them to pray for God's Kingdom, the dominion of the King, to be established on earth as it is already established in Heaven. In other words, if it works that way in Heaven, then let it work that way here on earth. God's Kingdom is true and that truth is established and demonstrated in Heaven, and thus it should be on earth as well.
Furthermore, Jesus specifically tied the Kingdom proclamation and demonstration of healing together in His charge to the Apostles found in Matthew 10:5-8 NIV:
[5] "These twelve Jesus sent out with the following instructions: “Do not go among the Gentiles or enter any town of the Samaritans. [6] Go rather to the lost sheep of Israel. [7] As you go, proclaim this message: 'The kingdom of heaven has come near.' [8] Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; freely give."
Proclaim then demonstrate! Proclaim justice (the Kingdom of God being re-established) and demonstrate justice by restoring health and wholeness, casting out sickness and disease, demons and death all of which are not allowed in God's Kingdom. Think about that - all of that is not allowed in the Kingdom, yet we allow it freely in the church. Why? Because we have apparently lost our sense of what the Kingdom of God is like, we have given into the spirit of unbelief, and we have allowed injustice to remain. Oh Lord, forgive us for settling for less than what You came to establish, what You have purchased for us with Your precious blood! Lord, teach us and help us to walk in Your dominion, and proclaim it with our lives, and through the power of the Holy Spirit working through us, in obedience to Your Commands - the law of the King.
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