Word for the day by Christian Christian Education Forum

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 The Holistic Healing that Christ gives 

John 5:1-9
V 8-9 Jesus said to him, “Stand up, take your mat and walk.”  At once the man was made well, and he took up his mat and began to walk. 

The Bible portrays God as the prime healer. The healing that God gives is holistic. It can happen through any medium. More than the medium or the method the Bible gives importance to the healing and the healer. Sickness is common to all and therefore healing is necessary for all. The Bible talks about different kinds of healing. Healing was one of the important aspects of Jesus’ ministry.
 In today's Gospel portion we read about the miracle of the healing by Christ of a man who had been lying sick for 38 years by the pool of Bethesda on a festival day. Jesus presence at the pool of Bethesda (which means "the house of mercy") offered mercy and hope to the heartbroken man.
  Christ is our passover lamb who was sacrificed for us. He entered through the Sheep gate on His way to the "house of mercy". Jesus is our Savior who came to us born in a manger, with the cross awaiting Him and then the resurrection, in order that He might grant us His mercy. This miracle would prove two things: God loves His people and that He still performs miracles. “Do you want to be made well? Jesus asked. The man answered: I have no one to put me into the water when it is stirred up. Then Jesus said, “rise, take up your mat and walk”. Immediately he got up, took his mat, and walked away.
 Many times, we come across similar situations where someone else benefits while we do not. Someone else gets the chance and we do not. Someone else finds someone to give him a push and we do not.  We too join in the compliant, "Whenever I come, someone else comes before me". But the situation changes completely when we meet Jesus and He asks, "Do you want to be made well?" Before the command, Jesus asked two things of the sick man: Faith and Obedience. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Psalm 40;1 says," I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me and heard my cry". True faith always produces obedience, and makes man follow Christ wherever He goes because all trust has been put in the Lord. When the sick man's faith responded with obedience, his body responded to Christ’s command. So, he was healed and took his mat and walked away.
 Christ knows everything about us. He knows our weakness and our real need and gives what we need generously and without reproach. Christ revealed His love towards the man who had given up hope in anything and any person. Jesus gives the perfect healing to the body, mind, and soul. This is our Almighty God, the mighty Savior who delivers us from our weaknesses and is compassionate and merciful towards us. So, let us always bow down before Him to ask Him to give our lives a manifold blessing.

PRAYER
Lord, we bow down before Thee and ask for Your manifold blessings over our mind, body, and spirit. Teach us to adhere to Your teachings with all our faculties. In Jesus name we pray. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
“For I know the plans I have for you”, declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11

Rev. K. A. Varghese
Vicar, St. Andrews MTC, NY
 
Christian Education Forum, Diocese of NAE of the Mar Thoma Church

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