Reason #767
I've never seen anyone be healed before my very eyes. Usually, it's a process that takes time. I've known of a lot of people that were healed from cancer, and I've read all sorts of stories about people who were healed from other ailments. But I have yet to see immediate healing before my very eyes. Of course, the truth is, whether right away or over time, God heals in the way He wants to heal, and both are just as powerful and perfectly timed.
A lot of times we pray for immediate healing. After all, no one wants to suffer. Life is most enjoyable when one feels well, and so we ask for healing to come quickly. Sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks, months, or maybe even years to get better. And sometimes, the healing takes place when we enter into God's presence. But God heals, no doubt about it, and last night I thought about how the man in the Garden of Gethsemane must have felt when Jesus healed His ear.
This man had come with a small crowd to arrest Jesus. Jesus, who was doing no harm. Jesus, the perfect, spotless, innocent one. They found him in the middle of the night in the garden where He had been praying. His soul, anguished. I'm sure this man thought this would be an easy job as Jesus willingly gave himself up to be arrested. He was unarmed, he wasn't trying to escape, and, truthfully, I'm sure this man was probably just ready to get this over with so he could go back home and go to bed. But as he reached for Jesus, he felt a sharp sting on the side of his head. He grabbed his ear only to realize it was gone. And as the blood ran down his neck and hands, as the pain shot through the side of his face, I can only imagine that he wished he would have just stayed at home that night.
People can live without ears. It does make life harder, but it's possible. And if you ask me, I'd say that's what he gets for arresting Jesus. I don't blame the disciples for trying to fight for Jesus. They loved him, and they wanted to keep him safe. They were just looking out for him. And so Jesus could have simply told them to drop their swords, which He did, but He certainly didn't have to heal that man's ear. After all, there was enough going on to concern him aside from a missing ear. But Jesus noticed that, and it concerned Him. And even though that man was there to arrest Jesus, to lead Him to His death, Jesus reached out and healed that man's ear. Right in front of the whole mob and all of the disciples, Jesus poured out kindness, grace, and compassion on His enemy who did not ask for it.
Jesus is a healer, and I think this just goes to show that no matter who you are, what you've done, how far you've gone, or where you've been, Jesus can heal you. Sure, we usually think of healing in the physical form, which is what Jesus did here, but I have to think it went further than that. Because when Jesus healed that man's ear, He changed that man's life. I don't know if that man became a follower of Christ or not, but that night changed His life as he experienced Jesus' healing power in a most remarkable way. I bet he thought back on that night for the rest of his life, and I bet he shared the story with others. When he scratched the side of his head or looked into the mirror, I can bet he was grateful to have an ear, and I surely hope that it was open to the calling of God.
A healed life not only benefits the one experiencing it, but it also benefits all who witness it. And so sometimes, even though we may think we don't need to be healed, we do. But until we come into contact with Jesus, just like that man, we don't know it. Yet Jesus is there, ready to heal. It doesn't matter what you confess or why you've shown up, Jesus can and will heal because you're healing brings you in to His presence, calling you closer to Him, and changes your life. So, don't ever think He isn't concerned with your wellbeing. He most certainly is. But most importantly, He is concerned with healing your hear. That's why He gave Himself up on the cross. By His wounds, we are healed.
#767 - Because He notices us and is concerned with our plight.
"When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him." - Luke 22:49-51
A lot of times we pray for immediate healing. After all, no one wants to suffer. Life is most enjoyable when one feels well, and so we ask for healing to come quickly. Sometimes it does, but sometimes it doesn't. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks, months, or maybe even years to get better. And sometimes, the healing takes place when we enter into God's presence. But God heals, no doubt about it, and last night I thought about how the man in the Garden of Gethsemane must have felt when Jesus healed His ear.
This man had come with a small crowd to arrest Jesus. Jesus, who was doing no harm. Jesus, the perfect, spotless, innocent one. They found him in the middle of the night in the garden where He had been praying. His soul, anguished. I'm sure this man thought this would be an easy job as Jesus willingly gave himself up to be arrested. He was unarmed, he wasn't trying to escape, and, truthfully, I'm sure this man was probably just ready to get this over with so he could go back home and go to bed. But as he reached for Jesus, he felt a sharp sting on the side of his head. He grabbed his ear only to realize it was gone. And as the blood ran down his neck and hands, as the pain shot through the side of his face, I can only imagine that he wished he would have just stayed at home that night.
People can live without ears. It does make life harder, but it's possible. And if you ask me, I'd say that's what he gets for arresting Jesus. I don't blame the disciples for trying to fight for Jesus. They loved him, and they wanted to keep him safe. They were just looking out for him. And so Jesus could have simply told them to drop their swords, which He did, but He certainly didn't have to heal that man's ear. After all, there was enough going on to concern him aside from a missing ear. But Jesus noticed that, and it concerned Him. And even though that man was there to arrest Jesus, to lead Him to His death, Jesus reached out and healed that man's ear. Right in front of the whole mob and all of the disciples, Jesus poured out kindness, grace, and compassion on His enemy who did not ask for it.
Jesus is a healer, and I think this just goes to show that no matter who you are, what you've done, how far you've gone, or where you've been, Jesus can heal you. Sure, we usually think of healing in the physical form, which is what Jesus did here, but I have to think it went further than that. Because when Jesus healed that man's ear, He changed that man's life. I don't know if that man became a follower of Christ or not, but that night changed His life as he experienced Jesus' healing power in a most remarkable way. I bet he thought back on that night for the rest of his life, and I bet he shared the story with others. When he scratched the side of his head or looked into the mirror, I can bet he was grateful to have an ear, and I surely hope that it was open to the calling of God.
A healed life not only benefits the one experiencing it, but it also benefits all who witness it. And so sometimes, even though we may think we don't need to be healed, we do. But until we come into contact with Jesus, just like that man, we don't know it. Yet Jesus is there, ready to heal. It doesn't matter what you confess or why you've shown up, Jesus can and will heal because you're healing brings you in to His presence, calling you closer to Him, and changes your life. So, don't ever think He isn't concerned with your wellbeing. He most certainly is. But most importantly, He is concerned with healing your hear. That's why He gave Himself up on the cross. By His wounds, we are healed.
#767 - Because He notices us and is concerned with our plight.
"When the other disciples saw what was about to happen, they exclaimed, “Lord, should we fight? We brought the swords!” And one of them struck at the high priest’s slave, slashing off his right ear. But Jesus said, “No more of this.” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him." - Luke 22:49-51
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