Greetings from Paradise
Jesus had called Peter to follow Him and be a fisher of men. Peter followed, but Jesus followed Peter – back to his house. Peter wanted to introduce his family to Jesus. The first “men” that Peter went fishing for were his family.
Peter’s mother-in-law was ill. She was in bed with a fever. In those days a fever often meant death. There was no aspirin, no medicine to take. Having a fever was a very serious illness indeed. Jesus reached out, took her hand and helped her out of bed. The fever left and she was restored to health. She was so completely healed that she began to fix the men dinner. Her healing was instant and complete.
Soon the news of the miraculous healing spread through the tiny town. By evening the townspeople surrounded the small house with their sick family and friends. They had seen a Hope in Christ – a Hope for healing – a Hope from freedom from pain – a Hope for a release from suffering. They saw in Jesus a chance to be whole again – to avoid death. They also brought to Him the family and friend who were demon-possessed. These people had an evil spirit living in them. They were not fit to be around the public. They, too, suffered pain and anguish as their demon spirit held them captive. They reached out in hope to Jesus as he One who could free them from their torment.
Today we still suffer fevers, illnesses, and forms of possessions. Our illnesses today are often controlled by medicines and procedures. However, Jesus still heals. I have witnessed examples of healings that defy the laws of medicine. I have experienced first-hand healings that defy the rules of science. I firmly believe that Jesus still reaches out His hand to us and lifts us up and restores us. I have experienced the release of a possession as I threw all of my tobacco, lighters, and pipes away, never to smoke again. I do not believe I smoked because I was demon-possessed, but I know the release from an addiction that controlled me. I empathize with those healed by Christ.
Perhaps more importantly than any physical healing is the cleansing that Christ gives us from sin. Sin separates us from God. Sin condemns us to Hell. Sin torments us, possesses us, controls us. Christ reaches out His hand to lift us up from our sin-filled lives. The sin is gone. We serve Him.
This is not just a one-time experience, for we sin daily. Each day Christ gives us His healing touch. I thank Him and I serve Him.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for healing. Amen
Peter’s mother-in-law was ill. She was in bed with a fever. In those days a fever often meant death. There was no aspirin, no medicine to take. Having a fever was a very serious illness indeed. Jesus reached out, took her hand and helped her out of bed. The fever left and she was restored to health. She was so completely healed that she began to fix the men dinner. Her healing was instant and complete.
Soon the news of the miraculous healing spread through the tiny town. By evening the townspeople surrounded the small house with their sick family and friends. They had seen a Hope in Christ – a Hope for healing – a Hope from freedom from pain – a Hope for a release from suffering. They saw in Jesus a chance to be whole again – to avoid death. They also brought to Him the family and friend who were demon-possessed. These people had an evil spirit living in them. They were not fit to be around the public. They, too, suffered pain and anguish as their demon spirit held them captive. They reached out in hope to Jesus as he One who could free them from their torment.
Today we still suffer fevers, illnesses, and forms of possessions. Our illnesses today are often controlled by medicines and procedures. However, Jesus still heals. I have witnessed examples of healings that defy the laws of medicine. I have experienced first-hand healings that defy the rules of science. I firmly believe that Jesus still reaches out His hand to us and lifts us up and restores us. I have experienced the release of a possession as I threw all of my tobacco, lighters, and pipes away, never to smoke again. I do not believe I smoked because I was demon-possessed, but I know the release from an addiction that controlled me. I empathize with those healed by Christ.
Perhaps more importantly than any physical healing is the cleansing that Christ gives us from sin. Sin separates us from God. Sin condemns us to Hell. Sin torments us, possesses us, controls us. Christ reaches out His hand to lift us up from our sin-filled lives. The sin is gone. We serve Him.
This is not just a one-time experience, for we sin daily. Each day Christ gives us His healing touch. I thank Him and I serve Him.
Prayer: Thank you Jesus for healing. Amen
