Healing

The day after my daughter was diagnosed with leukemia, I decided that during my quiet times I was going to read all of the gospel accounts of Jesus healing people. I wanted to be reminded of Jesus’ power over illness and reassured of His desire to heal. I haven’t done any statistical analysis or placed the healings into certain categories. I’ve just drunk in the wonders of these miracles. I’ve allowed my soul to be refreshed and restored and my confidence in Jesus’ healing power has grown.

The gospels have accounts of Jesus bringing Lazarus back to life, lepers being healed, and demon-possessed people being set free. There is one account of a woman who had bled for 12 years touching the hem of Jesus garment and being healed. So many people whose life was changed by a healing encounter with Jesus.

One thing that has struck me about the accounts is how often friends and family members bring the one in need of healing to Jesus. Sure, there are also many times when Jesus encounters the person on their own. But I am struck by the number of times a friend or family member approaches Jesus on someone else’s behalf. The centurion and Jairus who ask Jesus to come and heal someone in their households. Mary and Martha who send word to Jesus that Lazarus is ill and dying. The four friends who create a skylight to lower there friend down to Jesus.

I think that there are times that we come to Jesus on our own behalf today…seeking healing of one sort or another. I also know that God would have us approach Him in faith on others’ behalf. That this is part of the Christian community that He desires us to develop and embrace. He is touched and moved to compassion by our prayers and concern for others.

We have experienced this kind of community here at Bethany. Our little girl has been carried to the throne room of the Most High God by hundreds of people in this community. They have implored, “Heal her” over and over. We have felt the prayers of our brothers and sisters and they have been a source of comfort and peace and hope. They have given us strength when we were without. And I believe that the Lord has been touched and moved to compassion and that He will heal Sarah.

We have grasped a hold of the hem of His garment and we are not letting go until she is healed…