TRUE HEALING
“Jesus sinners doth receive; also I have been forgiven; and when I this earth must leave, I shall find an open heaven. Dying, still to HIM I cleave, Jesus sinners doth receive” (Lutheran Service Book – pg. 609).
I have a friend who was diagnosed last September with breast cancer. After having both of her breasts and her lymph nodes removed, she was told to prepare for the worse - the cancer had spread to her lungs and liver and was inoperative. There seemed to no chance for healing. BUT a miracle occurred - after only 3 months of chemotherapy, not only were her cancerous tumors shrinking, some were even disappearing. The healing that seemed impossible just a short time ago was becoming a reality. Needless to say, she was ecstatic and shared her joy with everyone who would listen.
In this weeks Old Testament reading (1 Kings 5:1-14) we meet Naaman, a pagan king, who had the same problem. You see, he was suffering from an incurable disease too called leprosy, and like my friend, his prognosis was not good. But an Israelite servant girl, through Naaman’s wife, (God does work in strange ways) led him to the Prophet Elisha who, he was told, would be able to cure him. To make a long story short, Naaman went to see Elisha, and even though he got a little peeved because his cure was not dramatic as he would have hoped (no bells and whistles, just washing 7 times – (7 is the number for completeness)), he did what Elisha told him and was not only cured – his skin was restored to that of a young boy (talk about your ultimate face lift ).
So, you might be asking, what does the story of a dead Old Testament guy with a skin disease and woman with cancer have to do with me and you?
Well, like my friend and Naaman, we have a disease worse than any cancer or leprosy – it’s called SIN - and it has spread not only to our thoughts, words, and deeds, but to our very heart. As a matter of fact, it’s in our DNA, we’re born with it (Psalm 50), and if left untreated, we will die from it – eternally.
But, take heart, there is a cure - His name is JESUS. In our sinfulness we cry out to the Prophet JESUS “Lord if you are willing, you can make me clean” and Jesus, filled with compassion, reaches out to us and heals us (Mark 1:40-41). How? Not by some dramatics scientific cure and miraculous drug, but by the miracle of the cross and the empty tomb. In our baptism, by the power of the Holy Spirit, we have been washed, cleansed, and completely healed of our sin.
Now that we have been healed, how do we respond to this miracle?
“I will exalt you, O LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. O LORD my God, I called to you for help and you healed me” (Psalm 30:1-2)
AND
“So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. Do not cause anyone to stumble, whether Jews, Greeks or the church of God— even as I try to please everybody in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1).
“Oh, how blest it to know; were as scarlet my transgressions. It shall be as white as snow, by Thy blood and bitter passion; For these words I do believe, Jesus sinners doth receive.”
Prayer: “I am trusting Thee Lord Jesus, trusting only Thee – trusting Thee for full salvation – great and Free.” Thank you Jesus, that you loved us enough to die so we could be clean – eternally. Reveal Your heart to us in Your Word
Church Season – 5th Sunday in Epiphany
Week ending: FEBRUARY 15, 2009
Monday – (Old Testament)
2 Kings 5:1-14. Leprosy = SIN and our nature seeped in sin. – IF YOU ARE WILLING LORD – MAKE US CLEAN!
Tuesday – Psalm 30
I will exalt You LORD JESUS You were willing to die to make us clean
Wednesday –(Epistle)
1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1
Now that we’re clean, forgiven, and redeemed – let God use us, our bodies, and our lives to Glorify HIM!
Thursday – (Gospel)
Mark 1:40-45 IF YOU ARE WILLING MAKE ME CLEAN – Thank GOD Jesus was willing to make the sacrifice that cleanses us from our sins
Friday – REFLECT on Psalm 147. Contemplate deeply the undeserved healing you have received by God through Christ Jesus, then thank and praise Him for it.
Saturday – SHARE
Tell of a kindness or service by someone at church that impressed you.
Sunday – As you worship – listen with thanksgiving for the forgiveness and cleansing we have received in CHRIST JESUS
