Brothers and sisters in Christ, we gather today under the shadow of the Great Physician, the one whose hands held more than power, they held compassion. We speak of Jesus, the healer, whose ministry was not just about preaching, but about mending broken bodies and broken hearts.
Open your Bibles, friends, to Matthew 8:16-17. We see Jesus, surrounded by a multitude, the sick laid at his feet, their faces etched with pain and hope. And what does he do? He “touched them one by one, and healed them all.” It wasn’t a spectacle, it was an act of intimacy, a hand reaching out, bridging the gap between human suffering and divine love.
Think of the leper, shunned by society, reaching out with trembling fingers. Jesus doesn’t turn away. He stretches out his hand and says, “I am willing, be clean!” (Mark 1:41). In that touch, not just the disease vanishes, but the isolation, the shame. Jesus heals the whole person, body and soul.
Or the paralytic, lowered through the roof by desperate friends. Jesus doesn’t just heal his paralyzed limbs, he forgives his sins! (Mark 2:5). He addresses the root of the suffering, the brokenness within, reminding us that true healing is multifaceted, encompassing both physical and spiritual restoration.
But Jesus’ healing ministry wasn’t limited to physical ailments. He healed the blind, restoring sight not just to their eyes, but to their understanding of the world. He raised the dead, defying the ultimate enemy, offering a glimpse of the power of God over death itself.
And what does this mean for us today, brothers and sisters? Are these stories relics of the past, or do they hold meaning for our modern lives?
The answer is a resounding yes! Jesus, the healer, is still present. He may not walk among us physically, but his power and compassion are as potent as ever. We carry his healing touch within us, in the love we show, the prayers we offer, the hands we extend to those in need.
Remember, Jesus didn’t just heal individuals, he healed communities. He touched lepers, the ostracized, showing that no one is beyond his love and reach. Let us follow his example, reaching out to the marginalized, the hurting, the forgotten. Let our communities become vessels of healing, radiating the love and compassion of Christ.
As we leave this sanctuary today, brothers and sisters, let us carry within us the spirit of the Great Physician. Let us be agents of healing in our own lives and in the lives of others. Let us be the hands and feet of Jesus, bringing his touch of comfort, hope, and restoration to a world that desperately needs it.
And remember, the healing power of Christ extends beyond physical ailments. He heals broken hearts, fractured relationships, and troubled minds. So, whatever burden you carry, whatever hurt you hold, open your heart to him, allow him to touch you, and experience the transformative power of his love.
May God bless you, and may the healing touch of Jesus be with you, amen.
By Heiko Thiede, pastor & evangelist
FisherOfMen'sMinistry2021 