THEOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF ???????? (HEALING) OF SIMON'S MOTHER-IN-LAW IN LUKE 4:38-39 IN RELATION TO NIGERIAN CONTEXT

Abstract

Man‘s health is a function of his social behaviour, nutritional habits and environmental condition. Good health is imperative to man‘s achievements in life. He, therefore, needs to be at his optimum level of health, physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and spiritually, in order to excel in his chosen career and endeavour. People go to any extent to seek healing. When orthodox medicine fails, people do not hesitate to go to prayer houses and even herbalists to procure healing. The centrality of healing features prominently in Jesus‘ earthly ministry, which is in compliance with Jesus‘ instruction to his followers to preach the gospel and heal the sick. This study, therefore, investigated the healing of Simon‘s mother–in– law in Luke 4:38-39 in relation to the Nigerian context with a view to ascertaining the degree of compliance to Jesus‘ command. The study adopted hermeneutical and exegetical methods to analyse the text in order to bring out the essential meaning of healing in the Bible in relation to the practice in Nigerian society, and a descriptive method of a survey type was employed. The results of the interview were qualitatively analysed. The study concluded that healing is a fundamental aspect of the liturgy and practice which helps in bringing people to salvation. The study, therefore, recommended that the authority of the Church should ensure strict compliance with the principles and techniques of healing adopted by Jesus in Luke‘s Gospel