Luke 4:40 – When the sun was setting, the people brought to Jesus all who had various kinds of sickness, and laying his hands on each one, he healed them. (NIV)

Luke 9:6 – So they set out and went from village to village, preaching the gospel and healing people everywhere. (NIV)

Our rural village is located about halfway between Erie and Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA. Within the last few years, our minister was diagnosed as diabetic, and was also operated on twice to insert a stent into his heart. One Friday afternoon, he collapsed during a funeral reception. His gray-green colour, clammy skin, and fluttering pulse, caused us grave concern. We immediately called an ambulance, laid hands on him, and prayed for healing. An EMT and a couple of nurses sprang to his side. They loosened his tie, opened a door for air, and administered first aid until the wail of the ambulance announced its arrival.

By the next afternoon, the hospital discharged him home with a diagnosis of low blood pressure. By Sunday, our pastor did two communion services and looked the picture of rosy-cheeked health. The difference amazed us. We had truly feared for his life on Friday. By Sunday, we celebrated our Lord's resurrection in the communion service — and our minister's restoration to health.

Praise the Lord! Jesus is still in the healing business. God may use the medical profession as His hands and feet, but He is the One who grants health. Through His death on the cross and resurrection from the grave, Jesus has overcome sickness and death. "By his wounds we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5d NIV) Through Him, God grants healing, as well as temporal and eternal life.

Prayer: Great Physician, all praise and thanksgiving belong to You for healing and restoring us. Even more, we praise You for coming among us to offer us Your free gift of salvation, which we accept, through Jesus Christ our Lord, in whose name we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Cassandra Wessel <casswessel4319@gmail.com>
Tionesta, Pennsylvania, USA
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