Mark, Matthew, and Luke each record the next step in the developing outbreak of the Kingdom of God.
Mark…”That evening after sunset the people brought to Jesus all the sick and demon-possessed. The whole town gathered at the door, and Jesus healed many who had various diseases. He also drove out many demons, but he would not let the demons speak because they knew who he was.”
Matthew…”When Jesus came into Peter’s house, he saw Peter’s mother-in-law lying in bed with a fever. He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on him. When evening came, many who were demon-possessed came to him, and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: ‘He took up our infirmities and carried our diseases.’
Luke…”When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them.”
He healed them all. All. There were no tests of orthodoxy or worthiness. He healed them all. And so healing became the lasting hallmark of his ministry, from beginning to its end.
In November of 2003 I had a colonoscopy to find out why I was losing so much blood. It was cancer in the upper end of the colon. Surgery followed, removing ½ my colon, and then chemotherapy. In a private conversation with my oncologist he said, “Your life expectancy may be as short as six months, or as long as a natural span. It depends on how well you respond to treatment.”
I didn’t pray for healing; I just didn’t feel it was appropriate, and I knew I wasn’t worthy. When I went in for treatment I was one of many, all hoping to beat that terrible disease. What I prayed for was his presence. I just wanted him to be with me, and I wanted his complete will to be done in my life. I was more concerned for my family than I was for myself, as my sickness was harder on them than on me.
I’ve come to believe that the impact of healings in the ministry of Jesus wasn’t limited to the relief from physical or emotional distress. He was WITH them. Mighty arm of God, promised Messiah, Isaiah’s light in the land of darkness…he was with them. He was not high and mighty, or religious and judgmental: his words and actions were the redemptive acts of God in their midst.
It must have been very powerful, and they must have left his presence with greater light about their journey. Need, brokenness, and gratitude surrounded him wherever he went. Things are not much different today.
Prayer: “Great Healer of Life, again today I ask you to be with me. I do not know what the future brings, or even the rest of this day. But I know that you are good and that your will is the best thing for my life. Whatever it may bring, wherever it may take me, I ask you to accomplish your will in my life, and I continue to ask for a willing spirit. I put myself in your hands, eager to find out what will happen. In Jesus name, Amen.”