As Jesus continued on His ministry of teaching, the crowds pressed around Him. One man stricken with palsy had no hope of reaching Jesus through the crowds were it not for his four friends who carried him on a stretcher. The crowd pressed so tightly to hear Jesus speak did not notice, nor would they step aside to let the men carrying their friend pass through. Determined to reach Jesus, having heard of His power to heal, the men climbed onto the roof. If only they could reach Jesus, their friend might be healed. Lowering him through the roof, Jesus saw this man who was unable to walk and said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee” (Mark 2:5). Do you really want to be healed by God, through the healing provided by Jesus Christ? What is greater; to have your body healed or to have your heart healed?
Jesus came to transform hearts, to replace the darkness with His light. Surrounding us is a world of darkness in which the Glory of God does not shine forth. Sorrow, pain, and tragic illness fill the world; because, the hearts of men and women are darkened by sin. The evil effects of sin bids to snuff out the light of God’s Glory in the world and in our own hearts. What is it to be really healed by God? Jesus came to provide a true healing of our hearts. To really be healed, all we must do is come to Him, seek Him, be healed by His redemptive blood shed upon the cross, and let His Glory fill us.
TO REALLY BE HEALED BY GOD
Jesus, praying to the Father on His way to Gethsemane, spoke of what it meant to really be healed. “And now come I to thee; and these things I speak in the world, that they might have my joy fulfilled in themselves… the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one: I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast love them, as thou hast loved me” (John 17: 13,22-23).
There is a healing so much greater than to be healed of some physical infirmity; that is, the healing of the soul. For our joy to reach to heights unknown, we must come to the foot of the cross where God’s love poured out demonstrating His Grace to hearts broken with sin. There is no illness of this body so grave as that of our hearts. Sickness, pain, and suffering on this earth are momentary compared to eternity.
To be healed physically might seem to be a big thing; but, it is minuscule compared to having our hearts healed for eternity, to be able to spend an eternity in the presence of His love, joy, and glory. He willingly shed His blood on a cruel cross that you and I might be healed from the greatest infirmity we face, a heart void of His Glory. Our heart lives in darkness, until we come to Him and let His light shine into our darkness, transforming us.
TRUEST OF FRIENDS
The man in this story had friends who were willing to do whatever it takes to bring him to Jesus. What about you and me? Are we that kind of friend? Are we willing to do or go to such lengths to bring someone to Jesus? For those of us who know Jesus as our Savior, we have the greatest treasure that could ever be found; yet, are we climbing rooftops to ascertain that others might know Him? Are our hearts broken for the lost and dying in this world? We desire and pray for others to be healed here on earth; but, do we desire and pray for them to be healed for eternity? Darkness surrounds us in this world. But, there is the light of God’s Gospel Truth which shines forth bidding mankind to step out of that darkness into the light.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil (John 3: 16-19).
HEALED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST
In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality.
So, when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. (I Corinthians 15:52-58)
DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR?
If you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior: I urge you to go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. Because there is nothing more important than this, I urge you to seek Him today.
OR ARE YOU IN OF NEED PRAYER?
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JUST RELEASED
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Recently released Books Available
ABIDING, STEADFAST JOY
A labor of love, this book provides you with 3 foundations of truth from the scripture which once known will provide you with abiding, steadfast joy. Undaunted by the storms of life; your joy will overflow.
WHEN INJUSTICE AND VIOLENCE REIGN:
Through a study of Nahum, Habukkuk, and Zephaniah; I brought their message into our modern times. Answering the questions of “Why, God?”
Providing a foundation of faith and hope; even, as we see so much evil in the world and in our nation. With so much sorrow and despair, this book I wrote to guide you into discovering God’s Perfect Plan of love; amid this chaotic world filled with life’s storms.
You may click on the picture for more information on either of these books.
OTHER RESOURCES AVAILABLE
If you want to know more about other books I have written: You can read more about each one at: Book Resources.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned except for my own books. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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