Man with palsy lowered to Christ by James Tissot on Christimages.org.
By Lisa Nordell-Detres
Is there anyone among us who has never sought healing for themselves or for loved ones? The pain and suffering that often accompany health issues are common to all people. Healing was one of the major signs that Jesus was the Messiah who was prophesied throughout the Old Testament. Throughout His ministry, Jesus healed physical defects, illness, injury and demon possession wherever He went. Matthew 9:36 describes Jesus’ heart towards people:
“But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with compassion for them, because they were weary (harassed) and scattered, like sheep having no shepherd.” (NKJV)
Health issues that cause pain and suffering may be a part of life in this fallen world, but this verse makes it clear that this is not what God wants for us. He hurts right along with us and cares deeply about our well-being. Jesus’ healing ministry also made it clear that God is indeed powerful enough to heal any infirmity and even raise the dead.
So why doesn’t God just waive His mighty hand and wipe away all sickness from this world? I would love to be healed and live forever here without pain or suffering, but this world is still fallen. The thought of living indefinitely in this world reminds me of the movie “Death Becomes Her” in which two vain women drank a magic potion that gave them eternal life. The problem was that even though they could not die, they could definitely get dinged up over the years.
This brings us to two points to consider: first of all, if we belong to Jesus then this world is definitely not our home, but rather our current assignment. We need to understand that when we do get to our Heavenly home, we will be healed and will get to live forever without dings!
The second point to remember is that every single person who Jesus healed when He walked the earth eventually died. If we spend our existence focused on our own physical needs rather than sharing the hope of Jesus’ eternal healing with others who are hurting, we short change ourselves and may even deny others the opportunity of eternal life through Jesus. Focusing outwards may bring us to a place in which our infirmities are eclipsed by our compassion for the spiritual needs of others.
Lisa Nordell-Detres is a mother of four, grandma to three boys, a pastor’s wife and has worked in the garment and customer service industries in southern California. Besides writing, Lisa enjoys cooking, sewing, organic gardening, hiking, skiing and doing most anything outside. Lisa is a member of the Central Oregon Writers Guild.
Lisa was born and raised in Denver, Colorado, studied Christian Apologetics at Simon Greenleaf University, holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Fashion Design from Woodbury University and an MBA from California State University at Northridge. Lisa, her husband and their youngest child now live in central Oregon.
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