In the Sermon on the Mount we have received a great deal of teaching on the kingdom, now we see the realisation of the kingdom. Note that Jesus also uses the various incidents to teach as well. We learn both by receiving formal teaching and then putting it into practice, and by various experiences in life, and learning from them.
The first incident is the healing of a man with leprosy. Leprosy was a very serious skin disease, and having the disease rendered one "unclean" and excluded from worship. The man asked Jesus to heal him. His only doubt seemed to be over whether or not Jesus was willing to heal him. Jesus did more than heal him, He touched him as well.
Jesus declared his willingness and commanded the man to be clean. Then He told the man to go to priests, this was so that he could be declared officially clean. The man was also instructed not to tell anyone else.
There are a number of lessons here for healing today. First is that healing is a vital part of the mission. It was part of Jesus' mission, it was part of the mission of the early church, it has been part of the mission of the church throughout history, and it should remain so today.
Secondly, the healing was immediate. Now sometimes we make unjustifiable or excessive claims for healing. We must never do this, but must always be completely honest. We only have "New Testament" healings when we see immediate results. Now this is not to denigrate waiting for answers to prayer, this is perfectly valid and part of life, it is just that it is different.
Thirdly, Jesus was not making a big show of the healing. This is an area where some of the church can fall down. If healings are genuine then there will be no need to "pomote" them, the problem will be stopping this happening! The healings back up and demonstrate the Kingdom, and the teaching of the Kingdom.
Finally, we should not be afraid for healings to be medically tested.
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