Tag: touch and make well
Day 5–Jesus made House Calls!
Scripture reading for May 22: Matthew 8:14-17 “And when Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him. That evening they brought to Him many who were oppressed by demons, and He cast out the spirits with a word and healed all who were sick. This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “He took our illnesses and bore our diseases.””
Jesus loved to go where the hurting people were and bring healing to their souls and bodies. In this account, Jesus entered the home of Peter, one of the disciples, in the town of Capernaum. Jesus and His disciples had been ministering to the sick and healing people most of that day. In the house was Peter’s mother-in-law was lying sick. It is unclear if this was just a hospitality visit or if Peter had asked Jesus to come specifically to bring healing. Jesus, in compassion, reached out to touch the sick mother and her fever left immediately. Later that evening, many other people crowded around the house to seek healing and deliverance. Jesus reached out and spoke healing words to them and all were healed. Matthew states that in doing this, Jesus fulfilled prophetic Scripture from Isaiah 53:4.
As first responders and especially EMT’s and paramedics, we are often called to homes of hurting people. Sometimes we have a brief description of what is happening and other times the problem must be diagnosed through questions or deduction at the scene. Human touch is required and we must not act in fear, but faith to help the hurting. We must be gentle and caring, helping calm the emotions and facilitate timely treatment. As believers, it should comfort us to know that Jesus is with us and as we touch our patient, He is touching them too. Like Jesus, our goal is to see them raised up and able to serve again.
Prayer: Father God, thank You for sending Your Son to demonstrate to us Your love and care for the diseased and sick. Thank You for meeting us where we live and reaching out to touch us when we are diseased. Thank You for the privilege of serving others where they work and live as You work with me. Amen.
Touching the Garment of Jesus!
Scripture reading for January 9th: Mark 6, Psalm 6, Proverbs 6
Mark 6: 53-56 “When they had crossed over, they came to the land at Gennesaret and moored to the shore. And when they got out of the boat, the people immediately recognized Him and ran about the whole region and began to bring the sick people on their beds to wherever they heard He was. And wherever He came, in villages, cities, or countryside, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and implored Him that they might touch His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.”
The word about Jesus spread like wildfire among the people in the land of Gennesaret. Jesus had just fed the five thousand by dividing the five loaves and two fish from a boy’s lunch. He had sent the disciples in a boat ahead of Him while He spent time in prayer. He had walked over the water, gotten in the disciples’ boat, and now they were met by crowds of people bringing their sick on beds. They had evidently heard about the woman who touched Jesus’ garment and was healed. They found Jesus in the marketplaces. They begged to touch His garment as well! Each one who touched was healed! Faith is simple, contagious and brings the joy of results!
Psalm 6:2-3 “Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing; heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled, but You, O Lord–how long?”
Prayer: Lord God, sometimes, when we are stuck on a bed of sickness, even our bones feel troubled! Forgive us, like the psalmist of old, for crying out in our impatience! Thank You Lord for Your promises of healing from Jesus that reflect Your Father-heart. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and gifts of healing that I might touch people in Your Name in life’s meeting places and marketplaces. Amen! Hallelujah!
Proverbs 6:20-22 “My son, keep your father’s commandment and forsake not your mother’s teaching. Bind them on your heart always; tie them around your neck. When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.”