March 24

Christ the Great Healer

and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” — Luke 4:21 BSB

The words of the prophet had been written seven hundred years before. Now, Jesus reads them and declares, “I am the One these golden words describe. This scripture is fulfilled right before your eyes. I am the Anointed One, and this is the mission I came to fulfill.”

The entire Old Testament points to Christ. There are countless references, types, and prophecies that all find their fulfillment in Him. His life, ministry, death, and resurrection were the fulfillment of everything that had been foretold. It’s fascinating to study Christ’s public life and see how perfectly He fulfilled the mission outlined by the prophet centuries earlier. He preached the gospel to the poor. He was a friend to the poor. He healed the brokenhearted. Wherever He went, people who were sorrowful and troubled gathered around Him. Just as a magnet draws iron filings, there was something in Jesus that attracted those who were hurting.

There are two kinds of brokenhearted people—those who are broken by their sin and those who are broken by suffering. Both groups came to Jesus. Sinners came and found in Him not a harsh judge, but a compassionate Savior. Those who were suffering came and found true comfort.

Jesus loved all people, and He had the power to help them. He brought freedom to those enslaved by sin, breaking their chains. He opened the eyes of the blind, not just physically, but spiritually as well, allowing them to see the realities of heaven. He lifted the burdens of the weary and the oppressed, inviting all who were tired to come to Him for rest. His entire life was the fulfillment of the mission described by the prophet.