Matthew 4:23
“Jesus was going about in all of Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every disease and every sickness among the people.”
It begins. The ministry of Jesus. The Savior, the Messiah, the promised deliverer. Ever since man fell in the garden God promised to fix it. Thousands of years have passed. Using Israel as a type He slowly explained how this was going to work.
Then there was the four hundred silent years. This was the time in between the testaments. A few entries ago we wrote about the great light that has dawned. That was Jesus. His light appeared ending the time of silence.
His message was about the gospel of the kingdom. The good news. I have lived in that good news for 46 years. It certainly is good news. Along with His preaching was some healing. That’s what God does, He encourages and heals. He builds up, He puts back together.
Humanity is a collection of broken lives. Some far worse than others. In that context comes Jesus. Healing and lifting up.
The unique thing about Jesus is that He brings more than a message. He brings Himself. He is the good news. He is the one who heals, when reconciliation happens God does it. When sins are paid for He does it.
Yes there is much in the bible that is encouraging. Wise sayings, great advice, but what makes christianity different is Jesus. He is the good news.
He knocks on the door of every heart and seeks entry. It doesn’t get more personal than that. He wants to know each of us. He wants to heal and put all of us back together. Matthew 12:20 says, “A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoldering wick He will not extinguish, till He leads justice to victory.” All of us have been bruised. Beaten up by life. We have wounds that need tending.
The image of the smoldering wick speaks much. It’s not out, but close. Many have that reality. I can see God cupping His hands around the candle. Keeping the winds away. Allowing the small flame to grow. That’s God. The circumstances of life seem random. Not to God. If we are His child then He uses them to mature us and to make us more like Him. Truly good news.
Jesus is just coming on the scene. Satan and the world powers sought to extinguish Him, but to no avail. What an amazing sight that must have been. How exciting. The real deal. People with new ailments and those who have dealt with sickness or crippled parts for years are coming for healing. They are walking away healed. Never before has that happened.
Jesus goes by the name Immanuel. Which means God with us. Great news. We also have God with us, if we are His children. An offer that should not be refused. As soon as God enters our lives repair happens. Strained parts start to mend.
Thank You, Lord. Thank You for sending Jesus. Truly good news. Thank You for being part of our lives. Bringing healing. Thank You.