Are you in need of healing – physically, emotionally, mentally, or spiritually – or a combination of these? When Jesus was on earth, He healed the sick and set the oppressed free. He still heals today!
This morning our pastor Bill shared the powerful story in Mark 1:40-45 about the leper who fell before Jesus to be healed and cried out, “If you are willing, heal me!” and Jesus – moved with compassion – reached out, TOUCHED him, and said, “I am willing!” The man was immediately healed, not only physically but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
Leprosy was one of the worst, and most dreaded, diseases in that time. It was essentially a death sentence, barring a miracle. Lepers were rejected by family, friends, and community and were outcasts of society who had to shout, “Unclean!” everywhere they went. Most went to live in leper colonies, with no hope for ever healing or for any kind of normal life.
They were avoided and shunned by everyone, so it was astonishing that Jesus not only spoke to him, but physically touched him. By touching him, Jesus risked becoming “unclean” ritually, as well as risking His own health. But Jesus took on all “uncleanness” of our sins and our diseases at the cross. He died to set us free.
After pastor Bill preached, we had a healing service. I love God’s sweet presence. People with various pains and ailments came forward to the altar to be prayed for, as the worship team sang Healing Rain.
The body of Christ used their gifts of intercessory prayer, healing, and encouragement. Ministry is never to be a one-man show. God will not share His glory with another, but what He will do is glorify His Son Jesus Christ through our humble obedience and our willingness to be available and used by Him.
In Matthew 10: 4-10 (The Message), we can read Jesus’ assignment to His 12 disciples and to us His believers today:
“Jesus sent his twelve harvest hands out with this charge: “Don’t begin by traveling to some far-off place to convert unbelievers. And don’t try to be dramatic by tackling some public enemy. Go to the lost, confused people right here in the neighborhood. Tell them that the kingdom is here. Bring health to the sick. Raise the dead. Touch the untouchables. Kick out the demons. You have been treated generously, so live generously. Don’t think you have to put on a fund-raising campaign before you start. You don’t need a lot of equipment. You are the equipment, and all you need to keep that going is three meals a day. Travel light.”
Did you catch that? YOU are God’s equipment for healing the sick and the hurting. You don’t have to be a pastor to be used by God. You don’t need a seminary or Bible college degree, or have some kind of fancy title. You don’t have to be someone with a “big ministry.” All you need is God’s compassionate heart, faith in Christ, and to be willing to be used by Him as His anointed vessel.
Are you willing?
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