Healing Party

Healing Party

Jesus returned to the Sea of Galilee and climbed a hill and sat down. A vast crowd brought to him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and he healed them all. The crowd was amazed! Those who hadn’t been able to speak were talking, the crippled were made well, the lame were walking, and the blind could see again! And they praised the God of Israel. Matthew 15:29-31

On one of my trips to Ecuador, we converted the town hall, which was actually a mud hut, into a clinic for the week. My exam room was a small corner of the hut where patients came to see the American doctor.

In broken Spanish, I asked them what they needed. All day long, as soon as I finished with one patient, another showed up. Some conditions were easily treated, but unfortunately, many were not. As a doctor, I’ve never felt so inadequate and ill-prepared. Crowds of people, all with pressing needs, surrounded us, but because we lacked the necessary resources, we couldn’t cure them. Often those we could help received only temporary relief from their suffering. It was frustrating and overwhelming to see so many in need and realize I could do so little for them.

Perhaps that’s why I was so thankful that we could pray with them. Despite our lack of resources, we knew that God doesn’t lack for anything. We could trust in him to heal those we couldn’t. And we saw some miraculous and inexplicable cures.

When I read today’s verses, I think about those frustrating moments in Ecuador when I wanted to do so much more than I could. The verse reminds me that Jesus not only cured diseases, but he also healed every part of the person—mind, body, and soul. No wonder the crowd was amazed!

When I think of the sick Ecuadorians we were unable to help, I take comfort in knowing that one day they will be fully healed and filled with joy, not because of anything we did, but because of everything Jesus did.

TODAY’S RX

Picture yourself dancing and singing praises on the day you are finally and completely healed!

Jesus, your power has no limits. You brought healing to the masses by simply speaking a word. I realize that what I lack, you fulfill, and I praise you for that. I wait with anticipation for the day when I’m fully healed by you.