“He went down with them and stood on a level place. A large crowd of his disciples was there and a great number of people from all over Judea, from Jerusalem, and from the seacoast of Tyre and Sidon, who had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases. Those troubled by evil spirits were cured, and the people all tried to touch him, because power was coming from him and healing them all.” –Luke 6:17-19 (NIV)
I took a sick kid to the doctor’s office today. We sat in the waiting room, then were shown into an exam room. After temperature was taken and some basic questions were answered, we waited longer for the doctor to come in. She did a thorough physical and verbal exam, determined what to do, and sent us on our way. We then drove to the pharmacy for a prescription, got home, got settled, and are counting down the hours or days when the illness will be gone and things will be back to normal.
As I read this passage about Jesus healing people, I can’t help but wonder what it would have been like to be there. Imagine– just going up to him, sticking out your hand to touch his robe, and being healed instantly. No waiting room. No prescriptions. No questions. Whatever ailed you, was gone in an instant from his incredible power. And the passage says all were healed. Now, wouldn’t we all want a doctor like that?
“Wellness is not the absence of illness”. I learned this phrase years ago while being trained for clown ministry, and I have seen it to be true in so many parts of my life. We think that “wellness” means not being sick or having an illness. We think all is well if we are physically healthy. We work out, eat right, rest, interact, and on the outside we look well. But “wellness” covers so many things in our lives–spiritual, social, mental, physical, etc… and if one of these is off-kilter, it can affect everything else. I have met many people who are physically well but spiritually or mentally sick. I have been in those places myself–my outer body is OK from all appearances, but inside me is brokenness.
The good news is we do have a Great Physician and Healer who can make us well. Jesus brings the same power to us today, as he brought to the people on level ground years and years ago. Part of the issue is recognizing that we are sick and then sticking our hand out for help. Healing nowadays comes in so many ways, and we can pray to God for healing. No matter if healing comes from doctors, therapy, or a walk into eternal life, God will heal. He will heal our brokenness, bind up our wounds, soothe our aches and pains, and lead us from places of death into places of life.
What do you need to be healed of today? Stretch out your hand. Reach for God. And be amazed at the ways He can bring healing into your life.
Prayer- “God of all healing, I pray to know the ways I am not well. Open my heart and mind to examine the parts of myself and my life that need your healing touch. I trust you to forgive my sins and heal me from my illnesses. I look forward to being well in the days to come. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.”
Prayer For All Days 