Kingdom of Grace

The crowds pressed in. Shoulder to shoulder, elbow to elbow, the people pushed their way toward the man called “The Healer.” Jesus, in His wool-spun white cloak, stood between the pressing crowd and the rippling waters of the Sea of Galilee. He received a child onto his lap, holding her close to His heart. His hands reached out to hold a man’s face. He spoke softly, only to be drowned out by the man’s shouts of gladness, glorifying God. Jesus touched a woman’s crippled hands, and it seemed as if chains fell away, and she clapped her hands with joy. Jesus spoke quietly to a young man, “Your sins are forgiven.” Delight flooded his face as he was set free.

Jesus ministered healing with great compassion for all who came to Him to receive His healing touch. His healing words were not limited to the physical body alone, because that would only be good for a lifetime. He healed the whole person, including the body, soul, and spirit, changing lives for all eternity.

When Jesus ascended into heaven, He didn’t abandon us or leave us to fend on our own. He didn’t give us a roadmap, saying, “Okay, now find own your way to me in heaven.” Instead, Jesus’ living, active presence is with us by means of His Holy Spirit, whom He sent to indwell and empower His people. His awesome presence is found where two or three Christians come together. Jesus’ dynamic, living presence is manifested as believers unite themselves to partake of communion. Our Lord Jesus’ compassionate, healing ministries are revealed as His servants, who minister under His authority, reach out to serve the sick and heal all those whom Jesus will heal.

There is Good News for all who suffer from affliction, infirmities, maladies, and disabilities. The Good News is that the resurrected Christ Jesus is alive and active in the world today, ministering just as He ministered to the people of His day in the region of Galilee and on to Jerusalem. He ministers through those He wills, anointing, gifting, and empowering them for ministries of healing under His authority and by the power of the Holy Spirit whom He sent for this work.

For all those who have need of Jesus’ healing touch, and for those who Jesus calls to minister His compassionate healing, there is great expectation. Abundant hope is found in the knowledge of Jesus’ healing power and presence. There is cause for celebration with dancing because of all He accomplished for our good. “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (Psalms 23:5). For sure, illness and physical infirmities are not a part of God’s perfect plan for His people; they fall into the “enemy” category. But God will be glorified in all things as He sets a banqueting table for you, overflowing with His goodness and mercies, even in the presence of your enemies.