Scripture reading for October 15: Matthew 4:23-25 “And He went throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the Gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction among the people. So His fame spread throughout all Syria, and they brought Him all the sick, those afflicted with various diseases and pains, those oppressed by demons, epileptics, and paralytics, and He healed them. And great crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis, and from Jerusalem and Judea, and from beyond the Jordan.”
Matthew 6:9-10 “Pray like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
After Jesus was baptized, He spent forty days in the wilderness fasting and praying and being tested by Satan. Upon His successful return, Jesus began His ministry of preaching the Good News and healing the sick and afflicted. The Good News included not only forgiveness of sins but healing of every disease and affliction. Matthew goes on to list some of these diseases and things that caused physical and emotional pain. He called out demon oppression, epilepsy, and paralysis. In other places, blind eyes were opened, deaf ears could hear, and lame people could run and jump and even dead people were raised to life. Matthew stated that Jesus healed all who were brought to Him. This caused great crowds to follow Him and those who were sick were brought from the whole region of Israel and the surrounding territories. Good News travels fast!
What can we learn from this ancient record of Jesus’ early ministry to the people? First, Jesus preached the Gospel of the kingdom. This message proclaimed a King Who loved them and invited them into His kingdom. However, this King and His kingdom was not like the kingdoms of the world. This King cared for all, especially the bruised, wounded and hurting. This King made healing available by going to where the hurting people were and meeting every need. He did not just preach Good News, He actually brought a physical demonstration of His kingdom of healing and grace. He taught His followers to pray to His Father, asking that the kingdom come to earth as it was in heaven.
Prayer: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your Name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. May we share Your Gospel of the kingdom and King Jesus, doing Your will on earth as in heaven. Amen.