The doomsday prophets are out in full force, quoting polls that show us becoming less and less “religious”. Recent Supreme Court rulings and world affairs have just added fuel to their argument that we have become a Godless nation in a Godless world.
Two thousand years ago the story wasn’t much different when Jesus was still with us. In Luke 9:9, King Herod heard about Jesus and the apostles preaching and teaching, but also of the healing miracles that were occurring. The healings were captivating and energizing a nation to follow Jesus. Even the King was curious, “Who, then, is this I hear such things about?”
The crowds swelled at Bethsaida, Galilee, Judea, Decapolis, Jerusalem, and the region across the Jordan. Jesus welcomed the crowds, spoke to them about the kingdom of God, and healed those who needed healing (Luke 9:1-10, Matthew 4:23-25, Matthew 19:1-2).
The crowds followed Jesus to be healed, but isn’t that the same thing we long for today?
I’ve received healing through prayers for myself and for others. I needed healing from a difficult childhood with an alcoholic father, and an inner voice that always told me that I wasn’t “good enough.” I needed healing when breast cancer struck, and when I received anonymous letters after my divorce.
For two thousand years, I am part of the crowd that has gathered to follow Jesus, listening to the Good News, and begging for healing.
Christianity will only be reclaimed when we start proclaiming the freedom and new life that is found in the healing power of the love of Jesus.
Jesus asked the lame man at the Bethesda pool, “Do you want to be healed?” (John 5:6).
It is the same question He asks us today, “Do you want to be healed?”
Blessings, my friend,
Agatha