Word for the day by Christian Education Forum

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 HEALING OF BODY, MIND, AND SPIRIT – MEDICAL MISSION SUNDAY.

Acts 9:32-35 

V34 Peter said to him, “Aeneas, Jesus Christ heals you; get up and make your bed!” And immediately he got up. 

When we read the Acts of the Apostles, we see the apostles sent out by Jesus continuing his ministry of healing to the world.  Jesus did not look at those who came to him for healing as a patient. He saw past their physical ailments and recognized the brokenness they were experiencing spiritually and psychologically. We can understand this by merely listening to His interactions with those who came to him. Based on the question asked by His disciples, we can also get a glimpse into what was the prevailing attitude towards those who were suffering in some way. On one occasion we see the disciples asking Jesus, “Rabbi who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Jesus answered them by saying, “Neither this man nor his parents sinned; he was born blind so that God’s works might be revealed in him
We see Christ addressing the spiritual needs of those who came to him for healing, when he proclaimed to some who came to healing, “Your sins are forgiven.” He understood that there was holistic healing that needed to take place in order to fully restore these individuals. Jesus also recognized the social ostracism and rejection faced by many who were ill. We see in scriptures on two occasions when Jesus healed lepers, he asked them to get themselves examined by the priest who would essentially certify their ability to rejoin society. We can also see Jesus publically bringing a crippled woman to the front of the synagogue to heal her publically and restore her in the community.
This healing ministry continues to this day as a part of the commission of the church community as a whole. The activities of this ministry include fasting and praying for those who are suffering. It is also carried out by those working in the medical profession. It is important that we have the same mindset as Christ when involved in this ministry and concern ourselves with the physical, psychological, and spiritual condition of those suffering all around us.


                                                Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the healing ministry you have entrusted to us to carry out.  Please help us to be diligent in the ministry and follow the example Jesus Christ showed us. We also pray for all the medical missions that the church is involved in and for all the staff that helps carry out your mission. Enable mission to redeem and restore any who are suffering in our communities. In Jesus name; Amen.


                                       Vivin Varghese
                 The Mar Thoma Church Staten Island, NY

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