February 4, 2018 Sunday

“Now as soon as they had come out of the synagogue, they entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James and John. But Simon’s wife’s mother lay sick with a fever, and they told Him about her at once. So He came and took her by the hand and lifted her up, and immediately the fever left her. And she served them. At evening, when the sun had set, they brought to Him all who were sick and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city was gathered together at the door. Then He healed many who were sick with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He did not allow the demons to speak, because they knew Him.” (Mark 1:29-34 NKJV)

           

            Some believe that word-of-mouth advertising is the cheapest yet best way to let others know about you and bring their business to you.  Here we see an example of this!

            While people may see this as Jesus healing a woman to just fix dinner perhaps

Jesus “advertised” His ministry of healing which while not the emphasis of His ministry was the advertising that drew great crowds!  Many came to be healed or brought others to be healed and they heard the Gospel and were brought into the presence of Jesus!

            Why didn’t Jesus heal everyone?  Why didn’t Jesus raise everyone from the dead?  I remember a preacher saying that Jesus had to say “Lazarus arise” because if Jesus didn’t say Lazarus all the graveyards would empty!  Maybe that is also why Jesus mostly seemed to heal by touch though we know Jesus could heal over great distances.

            In my own life I have seen many different types of healing God does in our lives.  God healed me from the incredible pain I experienced from my blood disease.  God healed my soul and raised me from spiritual death as I was saved.  God healed me from bitterness and despair through His love.  God healed me temporarily from physical death as I have lived many years past the three months doctors thought I had.  God healed me from loneliness through family, a new family with my wife Bonnie and our children and being part of the Body of Christ! God is still healing me from pride, fear, despair and selfishness.  God is healing me through the terrible memories and from the past that has destroyed so much joy in my life.  And God will heal me through physical death so I can be with God.

            Because of all of these healings God has enabled me to share with others the Gospel of Jesus Christ!  As I like to say God’s message is God loves us enough to accept us as we are, but He also loves us enough to not leave us there!  Through God’s healing we are able to share with others not just the hope but the proof of God’s love and power to take us from death and mere existence to the fullness of real Life with Jesus!

            It saddens me in a way about Lazarus.  Many will say what a blessing Lazarus was raised from the dead!  But can you imagine being with God and then have God say “You need to go back”.  Even sadder to me is that Lazarus would have to die again!

            But maybe God brought Lazarus back not just to show the power of Jesus over death but also to care for his two unwed sisters who would have been left destitute and probably having to do terrible things to live without their brother?

            Maybe every miracle in your life is so you can give glory to God and be a blessing to others.

           

            I was not able to go to worship today.  I didn’t even get up until past time to get there and almost the time it started.  I used to have to be ready for the service early and worried about being late.  Now it is Bonnie who has to get there early to play the organ.  But I enjoyed worshipping with the Podcast from First UMC in Jefferson City.  It is a real blessing and brings back wonderful memories!