Luke 6:18-19, 22-23
They had come to hear him and to be healed of their diseases, and those who were troubled with unclean spirits were cured. And everyone in the crowd was trying to touch him, for power came out from him and healed all of them.
“Blessed are you when people hate you and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. Rejoice on that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven, for that is how their ancestors treated the prophets. Luke 6:18-19, 22-23 (NRSVUE)
A couple of weeks ago I sat in a doctor’s visit with a family member and heard, “I am sorry there is no other treatment, you probably have months to live”. At that moment, I was asking, what about this treatment and that treatment? I came home and was researching alternative treatments, anything that may help get her to touch Jesus. If we would have been near Jesus, I would have tried to clear the way for her to touch him!
What would you do if you knew you or a loved one could be healed? All you needed to do was touch Jesus. You are in a crowd and there are others standing between you and Jesus. How desperate would you feel to get to Jesus? Would you trample others to get near him? Would you wait patiently, hoping everyone would get the opportunity to be near Jesus? I am sure it was a crazy scene with everyone trying to get to Jesus.
But, here is the good news, we can get close to Jesus every day through prayer. We can pray for physical healing, emotional healing and spiritual healing. We can trust that Jesus can provide the healing that we need. Our prayers may not be answered in the way we want, my loved ones physical body is likely not going to be healed as we have been praying for the last year (cancer sucks!). However, I am certain that her chance to be healed by Jesus will come, she just may have to wait until she gets to heaven. There will be no one in her way, she will have a clear path to Jesus and will be healed.
Hardships, illnesses, and unanswered prayers are always going to be part of our earthly lives. We just have to keep remembering that everything in this life is temporary and as Luke says in verse 23, “surely your reward is great in heaven”.
Questions for Reflection:
- How can you look at a situation in your life differently, when you consider that “your reward will be great in heaven”? Does that help make your situation appear more temporary?
- Have you been hated or excluded for your faith? Did your faith falter or make you stronger?
Prayer:
Healing Lord, we pray for your healing hand to be placed upon those experiencing physical and emotional pain and illnesses. May they find your peace in knowing that if they are not healed on earth, that they will be healed one day in heaven. Give us all the strength to go through their earthly lives knowing we can reach out to you in prayer and you will hear our prayers. Amen.
Login To Leave Comment