Healing and the Love of Jesus

Summary of Chapter 2: Healing and the Love of Jesus

Overview

In Healing and the Love of Jesus, Stephen A. Seamands explores the profound connection between healing and Jesus' love, emphasizing that healing ministry is not just about divine power but is deeply rooted in compassion and love. Drawing upon biblical narratives such as the story of Lazarus (John 11), Seamands illustrates how Jesus' healing works flowed from His deep love and empathy for those in pain. He explains that this same love is what motivates healing in contemporary ministry as believers participate in Jesus' ongoing healing ministry.

Key Themes and Concepts

The Motivation Behind Jesus' Healing Ministry Seamands opens with the question: "Why did Jesus heal?" The answer, rooted in John 11 and the story of Lazarus, is simple—because He loves. Jesus' healing ministry is driven by His love for humanity, as exemplified in the message sent by Mary and Martha: “Lord, the one you love is sick” (John 11:3). This love, Seamands asserts, is not just an expression of Christ's compassion but reflects the love of the Father and the Holy Spirit. The motivation for healing stems from the deep, relational love of the triune God, who desires to restore brokenness in creation (John 5:19).
Compassion as the Core of Healing Seamands highlights the central role of compassion in Jesus' healing ministry, especially in the Synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke). Time and again, Jesus is described as being “moved with compassion” (Matthew 9:36, 14:14; Mark 1:41; Luke 7:13). The Greek word splanchnizomai, often translated as "compassion," is a powerful term that reflects deep, visceral emotion. Jesus' compassion is not ordinary sympathy but a profound, gut-wrenching response to human suffering that drives Him to heal. His tears at Lazarus’s tomb (John 11:35) are a clear manifestation of this love and compassion, demonstrating that before He heals, Jesus feels the pain of those He is healing.
Healing is About Love, Not Power Seamands argues that healing ministry is less about power and spectacle and more about conveying Christ's love. While physical healing can be miraculous and awe-inspiring, the deeper purpose of healing is to express God’s love. This love is practical and meets immediate needs but is always rooted in a desire for deeper relationships and flourishing (Matthew 20:34). Seamands points out that when ministry becomes overly fixated on power, it can distort the purpose of healing. True healing should focus on making Christ’s love tangible to those in need, rather than simply demonstrating God’s power.
The Role of Love in Healing Ministry Seamands details how understanding healing as an expression of Jesus' love shapes the way ministry is conducted. Love influences both the purpose and practice of healing prayer, ensuring that it is carried out with sensitivity, dignity, and respect for those receiving ministry. Seamands shares cautionary examples of how healing ministry can be misused when love is not the guiding force. He emphasizes that all ministry, including healing, should be done "in love" (1 Corinthians 16:14). Practitioners must focus on being channels of Christ’s love, which is ultimately more important than any dramatic display of healing power.
Patience and Persistence in Healing Ministry Seamands reflects on the patience required in healing ministry, particularly when healing does not happen immediately or in the expected manner. Using the story of Lazarus (John 11:5-7), Seamands illustrates that sometimes God’s love requires waiting, even when it feels delayed or confusing. Jesus’ delayed response to Lazarus’s illness, which led to his death, ultimately reveals a deeper expression of His love—one that transcends human understanding. Healing ministry, therefore, requires trust in Jesus' heart and compassion, even when His timing and methods are unclear. Seamands encourages believers to persist in healing ministry, grounded in love and patience, despite the complexities and mysteries involved.

Biblical References and Citations

John 11:3, 5, 36 - The story of Lazarus emphasizes the love Jesus has for Lazarus, motivating His healing.
John 11:35 - “Jesus wept,” demonstrating His deep compassion before raising Lazarus from the dead.
John 5:19 - Jesus' healing reflects the actions and love of the Father.
Matthew 9:36 - Jesus was moved with compassion when He saw the crowds.
Matthew 14:14 - Jesus healed the sick out of compassion for the people.
Mark 1:41 - Jesus cleansed a leper, moved by compassion.
Luke 7:13-14 - Jesus raised a widow’s son out of deep compassion for her loss.
Matthew 20:34 - Jesus restored the sight of two blind men, driven by compassion.
1 Corinthians 16:14 - Paul’s teaching emphasizes that all ministry should be done in love.

References

Seamands, Stephen A. Healing and the Love of Jesus. Stephen A. Seamands, 1949.
Ken Blue. Blue’s insights emphasize that Jesus' healing was motivated by compassion and His desire to rescue humanity.
Dan Wilt. Wilt highlights the dangers of becoming too focused on power in healing ministry, stressing the importance of focusing on God's love.
C. S. Lewis. In The Magician's Nephew, Lewis illustrates how love and compassion can be revealed in moments of silence and waiting, mirroring Jesus’ actions in the story of Lazarus.
Oswald Chambers. Chambers’ reflections on God’s silence being an answer are discussed in relation to Jesus’ delay in the Lazarus story.

Conclusion

In Healing and the Love of Jesus, Stephen Seamands highlights that the core of Jesus' healing ministry is love, not power. Seamands draws from biblical stories, particularly the account of Lazarus in John 11, to show that Jesus’ compassion and love are the driving forces behind His healing works. Seamands urges those involved in healing ministry today to focus on conveying Christ's love rather than seeking dramatic manifestations of power. By doing so, healing becomes more than just a physical act—it becomes a way to invite people into a deeper relationship with Jesus, one rooted in His overwhelming love and compassion. Seamands reminds us that healing ministry, like all ministry, should be guided by love, patience, and persistence, trusting that Jesus’ love will prevail even when the outcome is uncertain.

Discussion Questions

Description: Use these questions to facilitate group discussion or individual reflection on the chapter’s content.
Content:

In what ways does the story of Lazarus (John 11) reveal Jesus's compassion as the driving force behind His healing ministry?
How does Seamands contrast healing motivated by love versus healing focused on power and spectacle? What are the dangers of focusing too much on the miraculous?
Seamands suggests that healing ministry should prioritize communicating God’s love. How does this shift the focus from “fixing problems” to building relationships? Can you think of a personal example of this approach?
What role does patience play in healing ministry, especially when facing unanswered prayers? How does Jesus’s delayed response in the story of Lazarus illustrate this?
How can abiding in Christ (John 15:1-8) help sustain a compassionate approach to healing ministry? What practical steps can you take to ensure that you remain connected to Christ in your daily life?

Reflective Journaling Prompt

Description: Reflect on your personal experiences of healing and how they align with the themes of love and compassion discussed in Chapter 2.
Content:

Instructions: Spend 15-20 minutes reflecting and journaling on the following prompts:
1. Recall a time when you experienced or witnessed healing. How was love and compassion evident in that situation?
2. How has understanding healing as an expression of Christ's love impacted your approach to prayer and ministry?
3. Write about a time when you had to practice patience and trust in God’s love despite not seeing immediate healing. How did this experience strengthen your faith?