Podcast Summary: Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne Audio Podcast

Episode 113 | A Leper Healed
Date: December 7, 2022
Host: Nancy Dufresne (Dufresne Ministries)

Main Theme & Purpose

This episode centers on Jesus' healing ministry, with a focus on the healing of a leper as recounted in Mark 1:39-45. Nancy Dufresne delves into the specifics of this miracle, drawing out lessons on faith, the importance of correct beliefs, and the practical steps for both receiving and ministering healing. She also emphasizes the role of compassion, testifying, and the necessity of belonging to a local faith community.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Power and Presence of God’s Healing (00:10–02:40)

• Nancy opens with an affirmation: God’s healing power is always present, wherever you are—whether in a sickroom or hospital.
• “Say I receive that power. I receive it right now from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.” (00:19)

2. Studying Jesus’ Healing Miracles (02:40–04:50)

• Nancy notes there are ~19 individual healing cases in the Gospels, chosen by the Holy Spirit because they contain all necessary revelation about healing.
• She encourages listeners to release their faith even if they, personally, don’t need healing—because “somebody around you is going to need it.” (03:20)

3. Examination of Mark 1:39-45 (04:50–07:45)

• The passage is read in full, then analyzed.
• Highlights Jesus preaching, casting out devils, and healing—a model ministry, emphasizing that “one third of what he did was healing.” (03:58)
• Noted: Even those in synagogues (church) may need freedom—“casting out of devils is nothing but another flow of the healing power of God.” (06:24)

4. The Leper’s Initiative and Hunger for Healing (07:45–11:30)

• Lepers were social outcasts and forbidden near others; approaching Jesus was risky.
• The leper didn’t wait to be found—he went after his miracle: “Don’t wait for healing power to come find you. You go find it.” (09:55)
• Application: Believers should actively seek help—especially in the local church—not passively wait for ministry to come to them.

5. The Vital Role of the Local Church (11:30–13:30)

• Nancy highlights Hebrews 10:25 (Amplified): “Don’t forsake or neglect to assemble in the local church... especially as you see the day approaching.” (12:30)
• Pastors and local churches are sources of ongoing, personal help—it’s vital to attend and be connected.

6. Right Believing Precedes Receiving (13:30–16:15)

• The leper said, “If you will, you can make me clean.” He believed Jesus could, but doubted if he would.
• Nancy explains: “He’s thinking right when he says Jesus can do it. He’s not thinking right when he says, I don’t know if he will.” (15:10)
• “If we aren’t receiving what we need, we need to check up on what are we believing.” (13:54)
• The importance of allowing God to correct faulty thinking so faith can work effectively.

7. Jesus’ Compassion and the Power of Touch (16:15–18:50)

• “Jesus was moved with compassion because he’s full of compassion. Amen. And that’s what moved him. Healing is a flow of the compassion of Jesus.” (16:17)
• Jesus not only spoke words but touched the leper—meeting a need for human connection as well as healing: “He needed the touch.” (17:45)
• The touch of life (Jesus) conquers death—“Life conquers death. And in his touch, he was saying, I lay life on that death.” (18:05)

8. Jesus Settles the Question of Willingness (18:50–20:20)

• Jesus' words, “I will, be thou clean,” forever answer the question of God’s willingness to heal.
• “Jesus forever canceled out anyone’s doubt about his willingness... He answered every man for all time, I am not only capable and can, I am willing.” (18:34)
• Don’t allow doubt or condemnation to make you question God’s willingness.

9. Instant Healing and Following Divine Order (20:20–22:00)

• When Jesus spoke, the leprosy left immediately—“Leprosy heard Jesus... when it heard, it left.” (20:45)
• Jesus instructed the healed man to present himself to the priest as the Law required; this testimony would restore his place in society.

10. The Power and Responsibility of Testimony (22:00–26:30)

• The healed leper “blazed abroad the matter,” sharing his story everywhere. The result: crowds flocked to Jesus from all over.
• “His testimony brought others to Jesus. You know what? Your testimony will bring others to Jesus.” (22:58)
• Both dramatic and 'ordinary' testimonies have value—never diminish the steady testimony of a life kept by God.
• “In your testimony is someone else’s answer. And it might not sound very dramatic to you, but answers don’t always have to be dramatic. They just have to land in people’s hearts.” (25:20)
• Story: Nancy shares about a woman whose lineage and quiet faith were of great value to Jesus (25:35).

11. Concluding Ministry & Encouragement (26:30–27:23)

• Nancy prays for listeners, commanding sickness, pain, and disease to leave—“Rise up and be healed in Jesus’ name.” (26:57)
• Shares about her book, The Healer Divine, as a resource for further study.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Seeking Healing:
  • “Don’t wait for healing power to come find you. You go find it. ...You get where the healing power of God is moving.” (09:55)
• On Faith and Belief:
  • “If we aren’t receiving what we need, we need to check up on what are we believing.” (13:54)
  • “We can’t just have any old version of faith and get results. We have to have the Bible version.” (15:50)
• On Jesus’ Compassion:
  • “Healing is a flow of the compassion of Jesus. ...We are to carry that same compassion for the sick to those who are suffering that we come in contact with.” (16:17)
• On God’s Willingness:
  • “When [Jesus] answered this leper, he answered every man for all time, I am not only capable and can, I am willing.” (18:34)
• On the Power of Testimony:
  • “His testimony brought others to Jesus. ...Contained in your testimony is someone else’s help.” (22:58)
  • “Don’t diminish a testimony that doesn’t hold drama. ...What a testimony to say I’ve been kept by the power of God for as long as I lived.” (24:30)
• On Belonging to a Local Faith Community:
  • “A pastor lives in your community. A pastor lives where your family lives. That’s why you need a pastor.” (11:50)
  • “In the time that we see Jesus coming approaching, we need the local church assembling more, more and more and more, not less and less and less. Go to the local church that preaches the Word. You’ll find your help there.” (13:00)

Key Timestamps for Important Segments

• [00:10] — The always-present power of God to heal
• [04:50] — Reading and initial discussion of Mark 1:39-45
• [09:55] — The leper’s initiative: go where the power is!
• [11:30] — The necessity of the local church
• [13:54] — Correcting what we believe for effective faith
• [16:17] — The compassion of Jesus as a motivation for healing
• [18:34] — Jesus forever ends the question of God’s willingness
• [22:58] — The leper’s testimony leads many to Jesus
• [25:20] — Every kind of testimony matters
• [26:30] — Prayer for healing and concluding encouragement

Summary Tone

Nancy’s teaching is pastoral, faith-filled, and encouraging. She uses gentle correction, practical applications, and a conversational approach to make biblical truths accessible. Her tone is passionate but nurturing, constantly urging the listener toward active, faith-filled participation in their own spiritual well-being and in supporting others.

For listeners seeking to understand how Jesus heals, how to access that healing today, and how their own testimony can become a bridge for others, this episode provides both theological grounding and practical steps—all delivered with warmth and clarity.