Thursday, January 15, 2009
Matthew 13:54 Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. "Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?" they asked.
HE CURED THEM ALL
Many are the stories recorded in the Bible where we read of Jesus helping people with serious health problems. When word spread of His power to work miracles, friends and relatives brought to Him all who were ill and suffering pain (epileptics, the paralyzed, the blind, the deaf) and He cured them all. Each miracle was another epiphany of Jesus, proclaiming the message loud and clear to all: "I am God's Son, qualified to serve as your Savior from sin, death, and hell."
As amazing as these miracles were, there was an even more wonderful way He revealed Himself as the Messiah: by His authoritative preaching and soul-comforting teaching. Jesus possessed the amazing ability -- through the sharing of the simple Gospel -- to release souls from slavery to sin and the domination of the devil. He even used physical misfortunes like a man born blind (whom He cured) and a dear friend dying (whom He raised) to work special blessings for many, by attracting countless numbers to Himself, that He might have a chance to share with them His saving Gospel.
Jesus manifests His Savior-glory in the same way to you and me. In His love He provides physical healing for our illnesses or needed strength to bear up patiently under them. He speaks to us the simple -- yet glorious -- Gospel message for our everlasting comfort: "Be of good cheer. Your sins are forgiven you."
Manifest in making whole Palsied limbs and fainting soul;
Manifest in valiant fight, Quelling all the devil's might;
Manifest in gracious will, Ever bringing good from ill.
Anthems be to Thee addressed, God in man made manifest.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 134:3)
