Not Just Seizure Free—but Healed Completely

Not Just Seizure Free—but Healed Completely

A man in the crowd called out to him, “Teacher, I beg you to look at my son, my only child. An evil spirit keeps seizing him, making him scream. It throws him into convulsions so that he foams at the mouth. It batters him and hardly ever leaves him alone. I begged your disciples to cast out the spirit, but they couldn’t do it.” Jesus said, “You faithless and corrupt people! How long must I be with you and put up with you?” Then he said to the man, “Bring your son here.” As the boy came forward, the demon knocked him to the ground and threw him into a violent convulsion. But Jesus rebuked the evil spirit and healed the boy. Then he gave him back to his father. Awe gripped the people as they saw this majestic display of God’s power. Luke 9:38-43

Epilepsy has been around for as long as recorded history. Unfortunately, for many years it was thought to be the result of demonic possession. We now understand it as a life-threatening and life-altering disease that can affect anyone.

Patients with epilepsy and active seizures face a lot of restrictions. They can’t work with machinery or drive, and they aren’t able to obtain a pilot’s license. They’re also advised to avoid jobs that require balance, such as climbing a ladder, because they could potentially injure themselves or someone else.

Modern medicine has developed medications that work for about 70 percent of epileptic patients, but there is still not a complete cure for the disease.

Even today, epileptics can be stigmatized and judged by people who aren’t familiar with the disease. We all want to be in control of how we act, especially in public, but epilepsy steals that control. A violent convulsion can throw a person to the ground and cause a loss of bowel and bladder control. It’s a vulnerable and embarrassing condition.

When Jesus healed the young boy, he didn’t just stop the seizures. He healed him completely—physically, mentally, and spiritually. I believe that Jesus also healed the hardened hearts of those who had judged the boy. Luke records that those who witnessed the miracle were gripped with awe. They had never seen anyone with those symptoms healed so quickly and completely.

TODAY’S RX

If you have an illness with social implications, pray that you can be a source of understanding for those you encounter in public.

Jesus, soften my heart for those in my life who are sick and physically impaired. Help me to see them through your eyes, and provide for them in ways that give them joy and hope.