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Matthew presents us with a healing story within another healing story. Each contains elements that suggest both healings are unusual and both suggest that Jesus’ kind of healing is one-of-a-kind. What’s so different about Jesus’ kind of healing? Let’s discover it together.

  • Matthew could have arranged his narrative into two separate healing stories, but he didn’t. Why do you think he tells this story the way he does? What similarities do the stories share? (Hint: have a look also at how this story is told in Mark 5:21-43 and in Luke 8:40-56.)

  • Both stories contain narrative elements that portray risk-taking, fear and even scoffing. In what ways do these elements serve to describe the healing each person receives? What do they teach about Jesus?

  • The Gospel of John says this about Jesus: In him was life and the life was the light of all people. In what ways do these healing stories illustrate the truth of this verse?

Next Step: When have you experienced Jesus’ healing power? What form did it take (physical, emotional, etc.)? What did this experience teach you? What insights into the heart of God do you now have, because of the healing, that you can share with others?

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