TODAY’S DAILY DEVOTIONAL MESSAGE
Health and Healing
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons.
— Matthew 10:8
The disciples of Jesus must have had their hands full with this undertaking. Jesus dispatched twelve of his most trusted disciples into the cities and towns of Judea with the mission of proclaiming the good news that the kingdom of God was drawing near. They were also tasked with bringing healing in order to demonstrate what life in God’s kingdom would be like. As followers of Christ, they were tasked with demonstrating how the gospel is capable of reversing the effects of sin in our world on multiple fronts, including the physical, the psychological, the spiritual, and the social.
I went to see a member of my church who was getting close to the end of her life here on earth not too long ago. During my visit, nurses and doctors came and went, aides made sure she was comfortable, and doctors conferred with the patient’s family. As I sat there talking to her, I couldn’t help but think about how Christians who work in the medical field have a distinct viewpoint on the work that they do. Christians view themselves as co-workers with God in everything that they do. Christian medical professionals, counsellors, and those who work in hospice care are aware that God uses them to contribute to the process of healing in this broken world.
People who are ill, going to have surgery, or need help managing their medication are frequently the focus of our prayers. Sometimes God heals people in miraculous ways, like he did in biblical times. However, the majority of the time, God works through the many men and women who collaborate with him to bring health and healing.
Jesus, our Lord, guide us to serve you in this world as those who bring health and healing to others. I would like to express my gratitude to everyone who is serving you and bringing healing today. Help each of us to live our lives in a way that reflects the reconciling nature of the gospel and its message. Amen.