Matthew 8 Jesus' Pattern for Healing

Jesus never used quite the same pattern for healing people. Every account of someone's healing in Matthew shows an individual attention and response (just as every account of salvation in the book of Acts shows individual customization of the Gospel to meet the individual). Take note of these two back-to-back accounts for an example:

In the first account, there is a man with leprosy. He runs to Jesus, kneels before Him, worships Him, and declares, "Lord, You can make me well again, if you want to." Jesus responds, says "I want to," touches the man, and he is well.

The next account shows a Gentile man who comes to Jesus and pleads with Him, "Lord, my young servant lies paralyzed and in pain." Jesus responds, "I will come and heal him." But the man says that he is unworthy of having Jesus come. "Only say the word, and my servant will be healed."

Now, there is a big contrast between touching someone and saying a word about someone from a distance. But both healings are beautiful demonstrations of faith and mercy, giving each person what was needed, without resorting to some default, standardized method.

LORD, I thank you that you know me individually, and that you have crafted my life and interacted with me in the way that was best for me. Let me love others as You have loved me.
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