May 23rd, 2014

  Jesus, according to the Gospels, worked miracles large and small.  There were so many that the disciples didn't even try to record them all.  When they did record them, they didn't always give specifics.  Take for example just a few sentences of Matthew's gospel - 8:14-16.  The first two verses are about the healing of Peter's mother-in-law.  Probably the only reason this healing was mentioned is because it was Peter's mother-in-law.  She had a fever.  From just the touch of Jesus' hand, she was made well enough that she got up and started cooking and feeding them.  It's not a big miracle unless you are the one down with a fever.  But it was enough of a miracle that word spread because the next sentence gives it away:  "When evening came, many who were demon-possessed were brought to him and he drove out the spirits with a word and healed all the sick."
  It's a big jump to go from healing a woman with a fever to healing the demon-possessed.  But somehow people had hope that if they brought people with any kind of sickness to Jesus he would heal them.  Their hope was not misplaced.  He healed all the sick.

  For reflection:  How did we get from the evidence of the gospels that a big part of Jesus' ministry was healing people to the state of many Christian churches today where it is not normal to pray for healing, except in a general way?  When was the last time I prayed with someone for healing?
  Let us pray.  Jesus, I want to do your will.  If that means praying with people to be healed, so be it.  If I see someone this weekend who needs prayer for healing, even if they only have a cold or a fever, help me to be bold enough to offer to pray with them.  Thank you for always being with me.

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