Scripture Reading: Luke 7.1-17 Today's inspiration: "Say the word and my servant will be healed" do you have that kind of faith?

When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, "Don't cry." Luke 7.13

Good Morning.

Jesus returns to His home office in Capernaum and is immediately contacted by Jewish elders, on behalf of a local Roman centurion whose favorite servant was sick and near death. Huh? This is weird--Jews coming to Jesus on behalf of a Roman officer, (obviously a Gentile)? for his favorite servant? Servants fared little better than animals, so clearly this centurion was kinder than most Romans or he would not even have a 'favorite' servant, or seek help for him. The elders pleaded with Jesus to heal the servant, telling Him how good the centurion had been to the local Jewish community, including building them a synagogue. Convinced, Jesus begins the trip with them to the centurion's quarters, no doubt, to heal the man, but His progress is halted as another group sent by the centurion let Jesus know that the centurion realizes he is not worthy to have Jesus under his roof. He recognizes and respects Jesus' authority, because He too has authority. . . but he also knew it was unlawful for a Jew to enter a Gentile home, and he didn't want to compromise Jesus. This unnamed centurion was a man of character, and Jesus remarked that 'among the Jews to whom He came, He had not seen as much faith.' The servant? He was healed, though Jesus never even saw the man. Incredible!

As we read the Gospel accounts of Jesus' ministry, we could begin to take for granted all of the people Jesus healed. (John mentions that Jesus did many more miracles besides those that were recorded, John 20.30) But I'll tell you this--none of the individuals He healed grew weary of His miraculous touch!

Soon after, Jesus travels to Nain, where He comes upon a funeral procession. A widow's only son had died, and was being carried through the town to his place of burial. While there obviously was not a row of cars following behind with "FUNERAL" placards on their windshields, there was the requisite crowd who traveled alongside the widow, gathering demonstrative mourners as the pathetic procession made its way. This next sentence just melts my heart: When the Lord saw her, His heart went out to her and He said, "Don't cry." Can't you see the compassion in His eyes, can't you hear the tenderness in His voice? Jesus was so moved by her pain, He went up and touched the stretcher the boy was on, (making Him unclean then), and told the boy to 'get up'. He did, then started talking, and Jesus gave him to his mama. O, how He loves you and me! At this point in His ministry, Jesus has demonstrated power over disease, demons, and now death, as He raises the boy from the dead. News traveled far in the region. (Well, I guess so!)

And so the question comes today--does Jesus still heal? "Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever." Hebrews 13.8. So if He healed people then, and He is the 'same today' as He was 'yesterday', He must heal today. . . right? [This is important stuff right here--so please hang with me--] "But," you say, "these healing people that I see are a bunch of kooks!" Maybe so. . . with grandstanding or demanding money for their healing prayers, but it was the Lord's brother, James, who said, "And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up...The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much." James 5.15, 16

I was not raised in a church that taught God still does miracles, and we can ask Him for them; rather, the doctrine said that there was no more need for miraculous signs or wonders because we have the written Word of God. But then, (as I have told you in an earlier Morning Briefing), a strange thing happened in my life, I experienced a miracle first-hand. I could no sooner deny that the Son of God still answers the prayer for miraculous healing than I would that I live in a blue house! Nor would I want to--

Because I have seen the Lord do what only He could do, I know He is still in the business of miraculous healing! But just this week I faced a difficult quandary--if a person is pronounced 'terminal', do I still pray for healing? Some have said to me, 'what about the damage it does to other people's faith, when you pray for healing, and God does not heal?' I have agonized in prayer over the answer, sought out Scripture, and wise teaching, too. I have come to this simple answer, and perhaps it will help you too. (Truthfully, your denominational doctrine might say something different--so please, do your own investigation of Scripture, and seek the Lord yourself) I have to default to what I know to be true: 1. God said to pray for the sick to be healed, and He didn't attach a qualifier like ...'until the oncologist says it is Stage Four, and probably only weeks to live'. . . that just isn't in the Scripture! James simply says, 'bring the sick for the prayer of healing.' 2. I do not know better than God as to His will, I am simply to obey with the amount of faith He has given me 3. I have seen Him do it--I am responsible to offer out the hope of healing through faith in Jesus Christ--what right would I have to do anything less? 4. I know that the heart of God is good. 5. If I am going to God in prayer, I should be sure my conscience is clear where He is concerned--confess anything that stands between Him and me, so that I can pray with authority 6. When I seek Him for healing, I should ask in the name of Jesus Christ, John 16.24. And on a lesser point, pray-ers often 'couch' their prayers with, "if it is Your will, Lord, will You ______"--don't worry, God isn't going to override His will to answer a prayer that isn't in it.

Jesus' healing stories will never be 'old hat' to anyone He has touched. . . and I pray that they won't be to you, either.

So that you may know,

Christine