Scripture: Mark 3:1-6 Another time he went into the synagogue and a man with a shriveled hand was there. Some of them were looking for a reason to accuse Jesus, so they watched him closely to see if he would heal him on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the shriveled hand, ‘Stand up in front of everyone.’ Then Jesus asked them, ‘Which is lawful on the Sabbath: to do good or to do evil, to save life or to kill?’ But they remained silent. He looked around at them in anger, and deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, he said to the man, ‘Stretch out your hand.’ He stretched it out and his hand was completely restored.
Observe The Jews were looking at Jesus (whether he would heal or not) and not at the man (with compassion for his disability). They were starting at the wrong place. Jesus was starting at the right place: the man, and he had compassion on him. And so he healed him. In fact, Jesus healed a lot of people. So did the Apostles. Paul also healed a lot.
Application How much authority do I have to heal people? Not just to pray for healing, but to command healing, to speak healing? I don’t heal anyone. But maybe I should heal more than I do…? What are the guidelines? Walk close enough with God to sense when he wants me to heal someone (or, rather, when he wants to heal and me to just speak it). That means following his promptings and I’m not good at that. I’m prone to explaining why it’s not his will to heal not his promptings. Easier said than done (but it’s probably my fear rather than anything else).
Life application for today Don’t give up! Draw near to God. Draw close to God.
Prayer Lord, draw me close. Speak to me. And give me courage.