The Rev. Michael Blaess shared from Luke 10:1-11, 16-20 yesterday during the Sunday service. The 70 that were sent by Jesus to spread the good news had “returned with joy” because they had been able to heal and cast out demons. It was evidence that God’s kingdom was breaking into the kingdom on earth. That promise from God wasn’t just for the chosen 12 or the 70 that were sent, that promise is for all of us, even now.

Healing is all around us, but sometimes it isn’t in big, dramatic ways but instead through the every day. We are inclined to miss the healing or dismiss it, but regardless of whether we ask for it or not, we have the promise that God’s kingdom is coming near to us. God’s kingdom promises us the fullness of the revelation of God where there is peace, no more tears or illness and the weights that are pressing down upon us are lifted. In God’s kingdom, there is no room for self-doubt, self-hatred or ego.

In verse 17, we learn that the “seventy returned with joy” because Jesus had sent them out into the communities and the demons had submitted to them. Jesus reminded them not to rejoice because they were able to heal, but instead his message was “you are part of the kingdom” and here is the visible proof. When we observe healing and God’s goodness around us, it means we are part of the kingdom, too. Further, Jesus gives us the same authority to have power over the enemy so that nothing can hurt us.

There are many unanswered questions like, “Why didn’t Jesus just heal everyone and cast out all the demons when he was here on earth?” and “Why wasn’t I healed right now when I asked, or why was I healed?” We don’t know the answers to these questions, but we can rest in the knowledge that victory has already been assured: God’s kingdom will prevail and it is breaking through all around us.

How do we engage in God’s kingdom? There are two ways:

1)    Trust that God wants wholeness for us—we should expect to be healed
2)    Pray because that is how we stay connected to God

As we pray in the Lord’s Prayer, “Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven…..

Can you see the healing around us? The Kingdom of God is being announced and you are already a part of it.

Blessings,

Agatha