The KINGDOM CLARION
By Larry W. King
Volume II, Number XVIII
July 9, 2009
Need Healing? You’re Welcome!
“The apostles returned and reported on what they had done. Jesus took them away, off by themselves, near the town called Bethsaida. But the crowds got wind of it and followed. Jesus graciously welcomed them and talked to them about the kingdom of God. Those who needed healing, he healed.” – Luke 9:10-11 (The Message)
In our text, Jesus had gathered his Disciples together privately in an attempt to wrest a break from the madding throngs of people who’d begun to follow him everywhere. Jesus ministry was in full effect as he performed miracles in the presence of many eyewitnesses. Indeed, his “rock star” fame preceded him everywhere he went. Is there any question that our Lord would require respite from the importunate hordes who constantly pressed upon him?
Nevertheless, the amazing thing about Jesus was the fact that no matter how tired, how crowded he was or how frenzied the mob may have been, he ALWAYS showed compassion for the poor, sick and distressed masses which surrounded him. As the text says, he graciously welcomed them and healed them. What an awesome, caring and loving God we serve! Risking even his own comfort and safety, he loved, served and HEALED the people.
Consider these words from the letter to the Hebrews – generally attributed to the apostle Paul (but actual authorship remains the subject of some provocative theological debate) - which characterize Christ as our compassionate High Priest: “This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, andwe will find grace to help us when we need it most” – Hebrews 4:15-16 (New Living Translation).
On our frantically-paced, stress-filled, 21st century planet, it seems each of us has scars – physical, mental and Spiritual – from untreated injuries in desperate need of critical emergency care. We hurt from the wounds of our past. Forced smiles by day belie the pain of pillows drowned in tears at night – tears of rage, fear, doubt, depression and despair.
We hurt from our present wounds … financial contusions of unemployment or under-employment; from layoffs borne of jobs wantonly exiled offshore - outsourced by employers fervently consumed by the idolatry of the almighty dollar. We hurt from an agonized and unfathomable present of corporate bailouts for the rich alongside bankruptcy for the middle-class and homelessness for the poor.
And, we inflict our pain upon the generation of our children. Our offspring inordinately bear the stigmata of single-parent upbringing, as today more U.S. marriages fail through divorce than succeed. Indeed, innocent babies enter this world with AIDS, addicted to crack cocaine or methamphetamine, suffering from birth - through no fault of their own – from the festering wounds of morally diseased parents. Is there any greater American Tragedy?
Has there ever been a time when a nation was MORE in need of collective healing? I think not!
Yet, beloved reader, there is everlasting, unspeakable, joyous hope for ALL whose faith is in the Great Physician - our Lord and savior Jesus Christ! In marvelously poetic language, John the Revelator says Jesus - the slain Lamb of God - is the great cultivator and caretaker of the ultimately wholesome tree of life: “…which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations” – Revelation 22: 2b (KJV).
Are you tired, weak, hurt, perplexed, anxious or depressed? Take heart and comfort in the words of Christ himself: “Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” – Matthew 11:28 (KJV). Moreover, in John’s Gospel He speaks these priceless words as timeless balm to the weary soul: “… I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live” – John 11:25b (KJV).
Are YOU in need of healing? With open arms and a loving heart, Our Heavenly Father says to each of us as His beloved sons and daughters, “My healing is yours for the asking.” Precious child, YOU’RE WELCOME!
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