About 120 years before the birth of Christ, a prophet wrote of him: "For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotent who reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases. And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men."
Just look at the list of what it was said He would do. I wish to focus on Him healing the sick.
Early in His ministry, a paralyzed man was brought to Jesus and he said to the man "Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee." Obviously this man had done something to receive the fate he had, but also note He had not physically healed this man. The people hearing this accused Jesus of blasphemy, for only God could forgive sins. Jesus replied "Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether it is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?"
For Jesus, one was just as easy as the other. But he continues "But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (the saith he to the sick of the palsy) Arise, take up the bed, and go unto thine house. And he arose, and departed to his house."
Which was the greater miracle? The forgiving of sins, or the restoration of the ability to walk? The restoration of the ability to walk was only done to prove He could forgive sins. He can heal us inside and out.
But what does innocent Jesus, who never sinned, know of a broken family? What does He know of battles with drugs, or alcoholism? What does He know of feeling inadequate, and not being "good enough"? How can an omnipotent being understand me?
It has been written "And he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the sicknesses if his people...and he will take upon him their infirmities" Even though Jesus never sinned, he still felt the same temptations that come with being human. He also took upon him our sicknesses? Why? "that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities."
So the whole point of his taking our sicknesses and infirmities upon Him was so he could learn how to better aid us? What love He has.
"the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance." So He took our sickness, weaknesses, and our sins upon Him. In a very literal sense, Jesus knows exactly what you are going through, because He too lived through it! He can do far more than heal a physical sickness! He can heal the sickness of not thinking you are good enough (He would not have given his life if you weren't), He can heal the sickness of Drug addiction, or the sickness of a broken family!
When Moses was leading the Israelites through the wilderness, they were attacked by serpents, and many were sick. The Lord commanded Moses to "Make thee a fiery serpent, and set it upon a pole: and it shall come to pass, that every one that is bitten, when he looketh upon it, shall live."
A serpent being raised upon a pole has since become the symbol for medicine throughout history. But it also has a symbolism of Jesus on the cross. Look to Him, and live!
Does this mean all one has to do is simply pray and expect to be healed? By no mean. God has blessed us in this day and age with advances in medicine, psychiatry, and other means of counseling. I believe God wants us to use ALL of our resources available, in addition to our prayers. Faith in God must be shown in our works.
If you are depressed, please seek help. As you seek help, God will bless you with healing. If you feel like suicide is an answer, please seek help. While prayer is a powerful tool, please call a friend. God often answers prayers through other people. There is no situation so bad, that God cannot heal. There is no pain He is unfamiliar with.
He has healed me, several times. I have been a tool used to help heal. He is a God of Miracles!
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