Jesus the Healer w/ Nancy Dufresne:

Episode 121 | Healing Of The Withered Hand

Date: December 19, 2022
Host: Nancy Dufresne (Dufresne Ministries)

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the biblical account of Jesus healing the man with the withered hand (Luke 6:6–11). Nancy Dufresne explores the power and principles behind this healing miracle, teaching listeners how to receive healing and the role of faith, right thinking, and the importance of being skillful in the Word. She underscores the ongoing presence of God’s healing power and encourages expectant faith, especially amid opposition and critical attitudes.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. God’s Power Is Always Present for Healing

• Nancy’s opening emphasizes that the healing power of God is equally present in every situation, whether in a hospital room or a church service (00:10).
• Quote: “There's enough power in every sick room and in every hospital room to raise up that sick one—that may be describing you.” — Nancy Dufresne (00:10)
• The importance of not striving to “get” what God has already provided, but to receive it by faith:
  “It's present right where you're at. Say, I receive that power. I receive that power...from the top of my head to the soles of my feet.” (00:38)

2. Historical Context & The Purpose of Healing Accounts

• Nancy references Kenneth Hagin and the “healing revival” of the mid-20th century, connecting it to present-day expectations of healing (02:00).
• She points out that about 19 individual healing cases are recorded in the Gospels—not all that occurred, but those specifically chosen by the Holy Spirit for our instruction (03:18).
• Emphasizes studying these accounts “line by line and sometimes word by word” to become skillful both in ministering and receiving healing (03:50).

3. Teaching, Preaching, and Healing: The Threefold Work of Jesus

• Jesus’ earthly ministry focused on teaching, preaching, and healing, and this pattern is to be continued by believers (04:23).
• Quote: “Teaching is as much a work of Jesus as healing is. So you can receive your healing by sitting under the teaching.” — Nancy Dufresne (05:08)

4. The Story in Luke 6:6-11—Verse-by-Verse Breakdown

a. Teaching’s Role in Running Out Ignorance and Wrong Thinking

• Jesus entered the synagogue and taught—demonstrating that God’s people need teaching to eliminate ignorance and wrong thinking (06:30, 08:18).
  • Quote: “Teaching runs out ignorance. Now sound Bible teaching, not just any teaching, but sound Bible teaching rightly divided, runs out ignorance. It brings peace, it brings answers, it brings help. And it runs out wrong thinking.” (08:18)
• Right thinking is essential for healing; wrong thinking allows the enemy access (09:22).
• “Having knowledge of the Word and being a doer of that word is one of our greatest defenses against the devil.” (10:50)

b. Critical and Faithful Watching

• The scribes and Pharisees watched Jesus, not with faith, but from a place of criticism—seeking accusation, not participating in faith (12:16).
• Quote: “We will watch based on what's in us...If we'll have faith in our heart, we watch with faith eyes.” (13:58)
• Being critical blocks the flow of God’s power; faith conducts power (15:52).

c. Jesus Confronts Opposition and Demonstrates Boldness

• Jesus knew the thoughts of the religious leaders by the Spirit: not to judge, but to help (16:58).
• The man with the withered hand is called to stand “in the midst”—miracle requested publicly, against the flow of unbelief (18:30).
  • Quote: “If you're going to receive a miracle, sometimes you're going to have to go against the flow around you...You just do what Jesus tells you to do.” (20:16)
• Jesus prioritized meeting needs over appeasing opposition, displaying authority and courage (21:00).

d. Diffusing Wrong Thinking, Spotlighting Healing

• Before healing, Jesus addresses the crowd’s wrong thinking: “Is it lawful on the Sabbath days to do good or to do evil? To save life or to destroy it?” (21:49)
• Leaders valued rules above people’s help—Jesus spotlighted healing as “holy enough for the Sabbath day” (23:20).
  • Quote: “It's not about a day being holy. It's about a life being holy.” (24:26)

e. The Miracle Requires Participation

• Jesus tells the man, “Stretch forth your hand,” requiring the man’s act of faith before manifestation (25:10).
  • Quote: “Your miracle is going to call for your participation of faith.” (25:24)
• Illustration: Nancy compares faith to mounting a horse with the help of her father—“when you act, you show God, now I’m ready for your part.” (26:15)

f. Responses to Miracles

• The crowd’s reaction: anger and plotting, rather than rejoicing (26:55).
• Nancy laments that miracles should bring rejoicing, not offense (27:00).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “When you have a need, it never does you well to get mad at what helps you.” — Nancy Dufresne (07:50)
• “Teaching of the Word is the cure for unbelief...for doubt...runs fear out. It runs depression out, it runs oppression out.” (11:40)
• “If we're critical, we can't receive. Why? Because being critical is not a conductor of power. Faith is a conductor of power.” (15:52)
• “He would not shut down that flow just because people didn't agree…He would not hold back help.” (20:35)
• “He did what he could not do. Amen. He did his part, and then God did his part.” (25:40)

Important Timestamps

• 00:10 — Opening encouragement on healing power’s presence and receiving by faith
• 03:20 — Importance of individual healing examples in the Gospels
• 05:00 — Equivalence of teaching, preaching, and healing
• 08:18 — Teaching as the antidote to ignorance and wrong thinking
• 12:16 — Pharisees’ motives in watching Jesus
• 15:52 — Critical spirit vs. faith: who receives power?
• 18:30 — The man stands before the critics in faith
• 20:35 — Jesus’ courage in the face of opposition
• 23:20 — Healing as a “holy work” and central to Jesus’ ministry
• 25:24 — Faith’s role in activating miracles
• 26:55 — Crowd’s reaction to the miracle

Final Takeaways

• Healing, teaching, and preaching are intertwined; God’s healing power is ever-present and accessible through faith.
• Right thinking—acquired and sustained through sound Bible teaching—is essential for clearing the way for God’s work and closing the door to the enemy.
• Faith often requires going against opposition or popular opinion, but obedience and expectation are critical to experiencing miracles.
• Miracles should provoke rejoicing and gratitude, not criticism or offense.
• “Jesus is the Healer”—healing is not just for the past but is available now for every believer who will receive by faith.

For more teachings, testimonies, or to get the book “The Healer Divine,” visit Dufresne Ministries.